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LIST OF "NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



OUR CAMPAIGNS ; or, The Marches, Bivouacs, Battles, Incidents of Camp 
Life, and History of our Regiment during its three years term of service. 
By E. M. Woodward, Adjutant Second Pennsylvania Reserves. 12mo., 
cloth. Price $2.00. 

LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF MISS MAJOR PAULINE CUSHMAN, 

the celebrated Union Spy and Scout. By F. L. Sarmiento. With Por- 
trait and Illustrations. ]2mo,, paper. Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00. 

OUR BOYS. The Personal Experiences of a Soldier in the Army of the Po- 
tomac. By A. F. Hill, of the Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves. With char- 
acteristic Frontispiece. 12mo., paper, $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00. 

THRILLING STORIES OF THE GREAT REBELLION. By a Disabled 
Officer. With Illustrations in Colors. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00. 

THRILLING ADVENTURES AMONG THE EARLY SETTLERS. By 

Warren Wildwood, Esq. Illustrated by 200 engravings. 12mo., paper. 
Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00. 

LIFE OF DANIEL BOONE, the Great Western Hunter and Pioneer. By 
Cecil B. Hartley. 12mo., illustrated, cloth. Price $2.00. 

LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT, the Original Humorist and Irrepressible 
Backwoodsman. 12mo., illustrated, cloth. Price $2.00. 

LIFE OF KIT CARSON, the Great Western Hunter and Guide. By Charles 
Bctrdett. 12mo., illustrated, cloth. P*ice $2.00. 

THE BEAUTIFUL SPY. An Exciting Story of Army and High Life in 
New York in 1776. By Charles Burdett. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50; 
cloth, $2.00, 

THE ROYALIST'S DAUGHTER AND THE REBELS; or, The Dutch 
Dominie of the Catskills. A Tale of the Revolution. By Rev. David 
Murdoch, D.D. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50; clotb, $2.00. 

THE HERO GIRL, and How she Became a Captain in the Army. A Tale 
of the Revolution. By Thrace Talman. Illustrated. l2mo., paper. 
Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00. 

THE SOLDIER AND THE SORCERESS; or. The Adventures of Jane Seton. 
12mo., paper. Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00. 

WONDERFUL ADVENTURES BY LAND AND SEA, of the Seven Queer 
Travelers who met at an Inn. By Josiah Barnes. 12mo., cloth. Price 
$2.00. 

THE ORPHAN BOY ; or. Lights and Shadows of Northern Life. By 
Jeremy Loud. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50 ; cloth, $2.00. 

THE ORPHAN GIRLS. A Tale of Southern Life. By James S. Peacocke, 
M.D. 12mo., paper. Price $1.50; cloth, $2.00. 

^^ Either or all of these Books will be sent free to any address, on re- 
ceipt of price. Agents wanted for their sale, with whom liberal terms will be 
made. Address 

JOHN E. POTTER, Publisher, 

No. 617 Sansom Street, Philadelpliia, Pa. 



OUE CAMPAIGNS; 



MARCHES, BIVOUACS, BATTLES, INCIDENTS OF CAMP 

LIFE AND HISTORY OF OUR REGIMENT DURING 

ITS THREE YEARS TERM OF SERVICE. 



TOQETHER ^VITH 



A SKETCH OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, UNDER GENERALS McCLELLAN, 
BURNSIDE, HOOKER, MEADE AND GRANT. 



>^ 



\ . C^ 



By E. Mr^OODWARD, 

Adjutant, Second Pa. Reserves. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED BY JOHN E. POTTER, No. 617 SANSOM STREET. 
1865. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1865 by 

E. M. WOODWARD, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eaptern 

District of Pennsylvania. 

Stereotyped by Theodore Brown, 605 Sansom street, Philadelphia. 
Collins Printer. 



.6' 



TO 



m mmum 



TO THE MEMORY OF THEIR DEAD, 
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 

BT 

THEIR COMRADE, 



THE JiUTHOIl, 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The object in writing this volume, is to give in a 
clear and lucid manner the history of The Second 
Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, 
and an insight into the life of a soldier. To connect it 
properly with the movements of the army, it is deemed 
necessary briefly to sketch the campaigns of the "Army 
of the Potomac," under Generals McClellan, Burn- 
side, Hooker, Meade and Grant, from its formation 
until June, 1864, when the regiment's term of three years 
expired and it was mustered out. The short, arduous 
and decisive campaign of "The Army of Virginia" under 
General Pope, is also sketched." 

The Author's journal, kept on the field, and his 
"Picket" letters in the Sunday Transcript, written on 
the spot with the official reports of Commanders, furnish 
the material. If the recital of the incidents of the camps, 
the marches, the bivouacs, the battles and the joys, the 
sorrows, the pleasures, the sufferings, the glories and the 
defeats, will revive in the memory of the participants, 
the scenes gone by, or interest the reader, it will be the 
highest source of gratification to the author. 

E. M. W. 
vii 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE. 

The Great Rebellion 13 



CHAPTER II. 

Sumter and the flag fired on — The aim and design of the Leaders of the 
Rebellion— Justification of the Course of President Lincoln 



CHAPTER III. 

War for the Union— Pennsylvania's Response— Organization of the Reserves 
—Colonels Mann's, Marsh's and De Korponay's Regiments — Camp Wash- 
ington—Quaint Names — Whisky in a Musket Barrel— Getting the Coun- 
tersign 28 

CHAPTER IV. 

Organization of the Second, Third and Fourth Reserves— Dissatisfaction 
therewith— Election of Field Officers — Watched and Fanned all Night — 
Departure of the Fourth and Third Regiments 39 



• CHAPTER V. 

Departure of the Second— Its Roster— Camp Curttn— Leave the State with- 
out being Mustered into the United States Service — Marching without 
Orders— Baltimore— Sandy Hook— Discontent among the Men— Refusal to 
take the Oath — Sent Home in Disgrace — Strange Mismanagement — March 
to Berlin - 44 



CHAPTER VI. 

March through Maryland— Mutiny in the Nineteenth New York Militia- 
Guards after Whisky— Disbanding of Companies 53 



•10 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER Vll." 

TAOX. 

Tenallytown— Visit from the President and General McClellan— Pbesenta- 
TioN OF Flags— A Hail Storm— The REaiMENXs briuaded 61 



CHAPTER VIII. 

CROSSiNa THE Chain Bridge— Camp Pierpont— The "Long Roll,"— Beai-reuarp 
Reconnoitering — March to Drainesville— An Indiscreet Hen— Retcrn to 
Pierpont— Ball's Bluff— Review— Resignation of Colonel Mann— Grand 
Review 65 



CHAPTER IX. 

Skirmish near Drainesville— Foraging Expedition— Battle of Drainesville 
— Visit of Governor Curtin— The Boys in Winter— Camp Life— Firing for 
Medals — Picketing — "Old Uncle Ben "—" Taking French" — Naughty 
"Sell." 73 



CHAPTER X, 

Opening of the Campaign of 1862— Farewell to Pierpont— The March— Hawk- 
hurst's Mills— Army Corp.s— Wet and Noisy Night— "Hollo Barney"— 
Alexandria — Embarkation for the Peninsula — By Railroad — A Night in 
Rebel Cabins— Ruins of Manassas— Bull Run Field— Selling Cider— March 
to the Rappahannock— Cavalry Skirmish— Washington vs. David of Old.. .. 82 

CHAPTER XL 

Falmouth— Visit of President Lincoln— Crossing the Rappahannock— Grave 
op Mary Washington— Love Bubble- Cemetery— March to Gray's Landing 
— Embarkation for the Peninsula — Voyage to the White House — March to 
Dispatch Station 96 



CHAPTER XII. 

SiEQE OF YoRKTOWN— Battle of Williamsburg— Skirmishes at Seven Pines, 
Cold Harbor and Mechanicsville— Battle of Hanover Court House- 
Battle OF Fair Oaks — Attack on Tunstall's Station — March to the Chicka- 

HOMINY— NaNALEY'S MiLL— ShELLING THE EnEMY— BATTLE OP OaK GROVE 105 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Strength of the Opposing Armies — Opening of the Seven Days' Battle 

Battle of Mechanicsville- Battle of Gaines' Mills— Crossinq the Chicka- 
HOMINY 116 



CONTENTS, ■ 11 

CHAPTER XIV. 

PAQK. 

Change of Base — March to t!be James River — Battle of Allen's Farm — Bat- 
tle OF Savage's Station— A Night on Picket— The Battle of Glendale— The 
River Reached 130 



CHAPTER XV. 

Battle of Malvern Hill— March to Harrison's Landing— Cruelty to our 
Wounded— Hunting Greybacks— White Gloves and Ragged Clothes- Visit 
OP President Lincoln 148 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Midnight Shelling- A Spy— Promotions— Return of Generals McCall and 
Reynolds— Withdrawal from the Peninsula— Voyage on the James and 
Potomac— General Pope's Movement— Hunting our Divison— Running the 
Gauntlet 164 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Second Battle of Bull Run— Conduct of General Fitz John Poetee The 

Army falls Back— Battle op Chantilly— Arlington Heights— Upton's Hill.. 175 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Crossing the Potomac— March theough Maryland— Battle op South Mountaik 
—Remarkable Incident 193 



CHAPTER XIX. 

The Battle of Antietam— Field Hospitals— The Enemy withdrawn to Vib- 
GiNiA- Porter's Reconnoissance— Visit of President Lincoln 



CHAPTER XX. 

Crossing the Potomac— March through Virginia- Waeeenton— General Mc- 
Clellan Superceded- Removal of General Fitz John Porter— Cub Vieqinia 
Feiends— Bombabdment op Fredericksburg — Laying Pontoons 221 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Battle of Fredericksburg - Loss op oue Aemy — Incidents- Causes op the De- 
feat— Rk-ceoss the Rappahannock. 



12 CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XXII. 

PAGK. 

Picket Truce and Fighting — Farewell op General Meade— The Mud Expedi- 
tion—General BcRNSiDE Relieved by General Hooker — Ordered to Alexan- 
dria—To Fairfax Court House— Picket at Bull Run— Capture of General 
Stoughton— Promotions 247 

CHAPTER XXIII. , 

Our Petition— March to Pennsylvania— Happy Day— Battle op Getttsburo— 
Losses op the Armies 259 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Fall of Reynolds— The Boy's Sword— March— Undying Love— Falling "Waters 
—Lee Crosses the Potomac— Wappinq Heights— Manassas Gap — Anecdote- 
Marching IN A Circle 276 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Rappahannock Station — The Sword Banquet— Military Execution— March to 
Culpepper Court House , 289 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Lee's Attempt to Flank— Back to the Rappahannock— To Brandy Station — 
The Battle of Bristoe— To Centreville and Fairfax Court House— Victo- 
ries AT Rappahannock Station and Kelley's Ford — Rebel Cabins — Crossing 
the Rapidan— Battle of Mine Run— Winter Quarters at Bristoe— Flag 
Presentation— Reorganization of the Army 297 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Position of the Armies— Opening of Grant's Campaion — The Battle of the 
Wilderness — The Battle of Spottsylvania Court House — Engagement at 
Gcinney's Station — Engagement at North Anna — Term of Service Expires 
— The Regiment resolves to Remain — The Battle of Bethesda Church — The 
Parting— Marching Home— Reception in Harbisbukq and Philadelphia- 
Presentation OP Medals 305 

APPENDIX A. 

-Killed, Wounded and Missing 329 

APPENDIX B. 

Roster of the Second Pennsylvania Reserves 334 

APPENDIX C. 

"Marches and Bivouacs 368 



nt .«;^ampai0ns 



CHAPTER I. 

THE GEEAT KEBELLION. 



Many men of discernment, who had watched the 
politics of the country for years past, and the gradual 
but steady moulding of public opinion in the North and 
South, had long foreseen the approaching storm, that was 
to test the great question of the stability of the Govern- 
ment and institutions established by our fathers, and 
many pure patriots of both sections, guided by the light 
of history in their judgments, foreseeing the fearful con- 
sequences that would inevitably follow, sought to avoid 
or at least postpone the calamity by concessions and com- 
promises, while others, equally patriotic and sincere, 
deemed it best to bear the bosom to the storm and suffer 
the consequences at once, rather than by delay, permit 
the nation to be bound hand and foot to the car of 
Southern institutions. 

Under the Government of the United States, which 
Alexander H. Stephens, the Yice-President of the 
" Southern Confederacy," in November, 1860, pronounced 
'' the most beneficent Government of which history gives 
us any account," and which Jefferson Davis, the Presi- 
dent in the session of 1860-61 said was, ''the best Gov- 
ernment ever instituted by man, unexceptionably ad- 
ministered, and under which the people have been pros- 

(13) 



14 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

perous beyond comparison with any other people whose 
career has been recorded in history," the citizens of all 
sections of the country and of every class felt only its 
power and influence to protect and prosper. Possessing 
a continent under one Government and one flag, free 
from the evils of standing armies and expensive fleets, 
free from imposts' and export duties among themselves, 
free from export duties to foreign countries and internal 
revenue taxes, being one people in fact with a substan- 
tial community of origin, language, belief and law, (the 
great ties that hold society together,) having struggled, 
suffered and triumphed together, with their glories and 
defeats in common, with a Constitution springing from 
the free consent of all with ample provisions for its peace- 
ful alteration or modification, with one section a com- 
mercial and manufacturing, another grain and stock 
growing, and a third whose great staple was cotton and 
tobacco, they of all people on God's earth should have 
lived in peace and contentment. But the South saw that 
in wealth and prosperity the North was far outstrip- 
ping her, and alas, instead of seeking for the cause and 
trying to remedy the fault, they afiected to despise the 
superior industry and energy of the North, preferring a 
system of labor that gave wealth and luxuriant ease to 
the few, at the expense of the prosperity and elevation 
of the masses, and the degradation of labor. 

Fearing that slavery would become isolated they 
sought to maintain the balance of power in the Senate 
by the extension of slave territory, and the creation of 
slave States which their .population and resources did 
not warrant. Nor did they confine themselves to the 
territorial limits of the United States. Already had the 
Government purchased for them the territories now 
forming the slave States of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mis- 
souri and Florida, and already had it engaged in a war 
with a sister Eepublic to annex and open to them the 
vast State of Texas. And more than this, the Govern- 
ment underhandedly favored the fillibustering expedi- 



THE GKEAT EEBELLION. 15 

tions of the marauders, Lopez and Walker, for the con- 
quest of Cuba, Lower California and Central America, 
that they might be annexed to the Union and opened to 
slavery. With these, Mexico, and the Southern States, 
the Southern dream of a mighty empire, enabled to 
secure the good offices and favors of mercenary and 
monarchical Europe, and to bid defiance to Republican 
America, arose in golden visions before their eyes, and 
ambitious men were willing to destroy the Government 
and constitution of their country, and wade through seas 
of blood to power and position. Yet they were anxious 
to remain in the Union and enjoy all the advantages of 
it, as long as they could continue to control its councils, 
which they had done from the foundation of the Govern- 
ment. 

As early as 1820, the Missouri Compromise was passed, 
which was the first and most respected of all. In ad- 
mitting Missouri as a slave State, it stipulated that 
slavery should not be introduced north of the line of 
thirty -six, thirty degrees of latitude, its southern bound- 
ary, but that limit so long accepted, the South com- 
plained of, and Mr. Douglas introduced a bill annulling 
the same, and substituting " squatter sovereignty," which 
drew from Congress the right to interfere in the question 
of slavery in the territories. The South soon discovered 
that the superior population and resources of the North 
enabled them to settle the territories of Kansas and Ne- 
braska with their hardy workmen, who decreed liberty 
to the land. This unexpected turn of events, which 
should have been foreseen, caused them to change their 
theory, and they invoked the power of Congress to inter- 
fere in the slave question in the territories against 
" squatter sovereignty," and demanded that its decision 
should be trampled under foot. The miserable and im- 
becile conduct of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan in 
permitting a civil war to exist in Kansas for so long a 
period without making any effort to stay it, is alas too 
well known to need comment. 



10 OUR CAMPAIGIJTS. 

It is only necessary to say that the Southerners de- 
feated in their trials of popular vote, force of arms and 
congressional legislation, although assisted by a power- 
ful and obedient Administration, turned their attention 
in a new direction and obtained a decision from the Su- 
preme Court of the United States— the Dred Scott de- 
cree. In the preamble of this celebrated decision of the 
highest judicial power of the Government, there is 
proclaimed two principles : first, that there is no differ- 
ence between a slave and any other kind of property ; 
secondly, that all American citizens may settle every 
where with their property. With the right of property 
understood in this wise no State had the power either to 
abolish slavery, or to forbid the introduction of slaves, 
and, therefore, there was no legal power to prevent a 
Southerner from settling in a free State with all his slaves. 
But this is not all that was demanded. The subservient 
Administration was given up to the will of the Southerners 
and the mails ceased to carry letters, journals and books, 
which excited their suspicion. 

In 1832, under the leadership of John C. Calhoun, the 
long dreamed of vision of empire that had haunted the 
brain of their ambitious and reckless politicians, first 
made its appearance in the nullification act of the legis- 
lature of South Carolina, but that stern old patriot An- 
drew Jackson, who declared that " The Union must and 
shall be preserved," met it with firm resolution, and his 
demand for the immediate disbanding of the State troops 
nipped it in the bud. From that time, however, the 
spirit of disunion had been assiduously disseminated in 
the South, and every issue that had arisen between the 
two sections, had been met by them with the threat of 
secession. The Hall of the august Senate had witnessed 
the drawing of firearms, and its sanctity had been vio- 
lated by brutal assaults upon its members, and threats 
were freely made by the "fire-eaters" to break up the 
sessions of Congress in blood. Yet the North submitted 
to these degradations for the sake of peace, and bowed the 



THE GREAT REBELLIOX. 17 

liead to the demands of the South for the sake of the 
Union. 

At h^ist, in 1860, the two great political parties met to 
make their nominations for President and establish their 
])latforms. The disunionists first showed their treason 
by betraying their party and breaking up its convention, 
because the true democrats would not bow their heads 
to their will. The seceders then called a convention 
and nominated John C. Breckenridge, who is now a 
leader in this infamous rebellion, and declared that the 
election of Mr. Lincoln, their opponent, would be fol- 
lowed by the dissolution of the Union. The North 
heard the threat ; if they had submissively yielded to it 
once more, all dignity, self-respect and mental liberty 
would have been lost. They knew the consequence ; 
secession was rebellion, rebellion was a commercial 
crisis, was the political weakening of the country, and 
the unsettling of many fortunes. It was the loss of all 
Southern trade, the loss of all capital invested in the 
South, the loss of all debts owed by the South. But the 
great spirit of the North that had bowed so often to the 
dictates of a Southern minority for the sake of the Union 
and peace, arose in its majestic dignity and proclaimed 
that the will of the majority should be expressed regard- 
less of threats and consequences. 

Prior to the election for President, the Governor of 
South Carolina had recommended both Houses of the 
Legislature to take measures in advance for the secession 
of the State in case Mr. Lincoln should be elected; and 
a special commission was nominated, and held perma- 
nent session. In Texas, Senator Wigfall, in speaking of 
Mr. Breckenridge, did not hesitate to say, " If any other 
candidate is elected, look for stormy weather. There 
may be a confederation, indeed, but it will not number 
more than thirty-three States." Senators Jefferson Davis 
of Mississippi, and Judah P. Benjamin of Louisiana, 
(Secretary of War of the Confederate States,) held no 
less explicit language, announcing that at the first elec- 

2 



;j^S OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

toral defeat of the South, it would set about forming a 
separate confederation, long since demanded bj its true 
interests. It was even freely proclaimed through their 
papers, "that Mr. Lincoln should not be inaugurated it 

^^ The Presidential election took place on the 6th of No- 
vember, 1860, and resulted in the choice of Abraham 
Lincoln; Messrs. Bell and Douglas, who were equally 
exceptionable to the secessionists, receiving a joint vote 
in almost all the Southern States, larger than that cast 
for Mr Breckenridge, who was the embodiment ot the 
secession principles. Yet in the face of this direct re- 
fusal of the majority of the southerners to endorse Mr. 
Breckinridge and the principles he represented, the un- 
principled and ambitious leaders set diligently to work 
to accomplish their long cherished and diabolical design 
of destroying the Government of their fathers, that they 
mio-ht rise to power and position. By resolutions of their 
Legislatures, and unauthorized conventions, studious 
misrepresentations of their press, and mflammatory ap- 
peals to the masses they at last succeeded m ; firing the 
Southern heart," and preparing it for the awful crime of 

fratricide. . -, ^, xi u 

On the 20th of December, a few days after the result 
of the election was known, the Legislature of South Car- 
olina, a State with a white population of two hundred 
and seventy-six thousand, or about half that of the city 
of Philadelphia, passed an ordinance of secession, and 
declared herself a free and sovereign State. She did in 
fact the same thing in 1832, but the firm and resolu e 
Andrew Jackson, with a stroke of the pen awed into 
submission and silence all. Would to God for one 
month's rule of the old patriot and hero m 1860. Phis ac- 
tion of South Carolina produced a deep sensation through- 
out all sections of the country, and the people otthe 
North could not realize the earnestness of the atrocious 

deed 

But in rapid succession followed other acts, that too 



THE GREAT REBELLION. 10 

plainly showed that madness had usurped the throne of 
reason, and that "those whom the Gods wish to destroy 
they first make mad," 

On the 3d of January, 1861, Forts Pulaski and Jack- 
son, in the harbor of Savannah, were taken possession of 
by State troops, by order of the Governor of Georgia, 
under the pretext of preventing them from falling into 
the hands of mobs ! 

On the 9th, the State Convention of Mississippi passed ^ 
an ordinance of secession by a vote of eighty-four to ' 
fifteen. 

On the 11th, the State Convention of .Alabama passed 
an ordinance of secession by a vote of sixty-one to thirty- 
nine, and invited the other slaveholdino^ States to send 
delegates to a Convention to be held on the 4:th day of 
February, in Montgomery, Alabama. 

Soon after all the United States forts and arsenals 
along the Atlantic and Gulf coast and on the Mississippi 
river, with the mints, custom-houses and other Federal 
buildings in the South were seized. Batteries were 
erected on the Mississippi river, and its navigation ob- 
structed. Beside the above States, Florida, Georgia, 
Louisiana and Texas seaseded. 

On the 4th, a Convention of the seceded States con- 
vened at Montgomery, Alabama, and elected Howell 
Cobb, the late Secretary of the Treasury, President. 

On the 9th, the Southern Congress, at Montgomery, 
Alabama, elected Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, Presi- 
dent, and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia, Yice-Presi- 
dent of the Southern Confederacy for one year. The 
Constitution of the United States, with amendments, was 
adopted. 

On the 16th, Mr. Davis, at Montgomery, declared in a 
speech, that the South will hold her own, and force all 
who oppose them, "to smell Southern powder and feel 
Southern steel." 

During this time, a little over two months only, the 
most bitter feeling of hatred and animosity was engen- 



20 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

dered against Nortlierners residing in the SoutTi, and 
school teachers and mistresses were shipped north, 
whipped; tarred and feathered, or hung, according to the 
whims or passions of the mobs. Merchants were robbed, 
honest men, who had resided among them for years, Avere 
notified to leave without time to collect their debts or 
dispose of their property. Traders on the Mississippi 
were driven from their barges by lawless mobs, their 
goods plundered and their lives jeopardized. Yet, 
while the military force of the United States could be 
used to drive squatters from their cabins on the Govern- 
ment lands in Kansas in the middle of winter, the right 
of the Government to use it to protect its own property, 
sustain the supremacy of its laws, and suppress insurrec- 
tion, was denied. Such is the deplorable course seces- 
sion had run during the last days of Mr. Buchanan's 
Administration, and so far from raising his voice or hand 
to save our beloved Union from destruction, he en- 
couraged them in their treason by his imbecility and 
silent acquisition, until at last, in a message to Congress, 
he actually denied the power of the Government under 
the Constitution to coerce the seceding States — i. e., to 
maintain the supremacy of its own laws. 

And what was his Cabinet ? The hot-bed of treason 
and secession ! On the 8th of January, Jacob Thompson 
of Misssissippi, resigned his position as Secretary of the 
Interior, because aid was granted to Major Anderson, at 
Fort Sumter. The next day the Constitution, the Gov- 
ernment organ at Washington, attacked Secretary Holt, 
for sending aid to Major Anderson, and defended Mr. 
Thompson for resigning, and the United States sub- 
treasurer refused to pay the salaries to Major Anderson 
and his command. Howell Cobb, the Secretary of the 
Treasury resigned, and was chosen President of the Con- 
vention of the seceding States, convened at Montgomery, 
Alabama. John B. Floyd of Virginia, Secretary of War, 
after stripping the arsenals of the Northern States of 
their arms, ordnance, and ammunition, colleagued with 



THE GREAT REBELLION". 21 

Eussell, Bailey, and others in stealing over $6,000,000 
worth of trust bonds, resigned, and on the 29th of Feb- 
ruary, the Grand Jury of the District of Columbia pre- 
sented charges against him for mal-administration in 
office, and conspiring against the Government. And 
oven Isaac Toucey of Connecticut, Secretarj^ of the Navy, 
had ordered to foreign stations all the available vessels 
of the navy, leaving at home only the ships in ordinary. 

Can any one suppose that these chosen counsellors of 
the President, who daily debated at the meetings of the 
Cabinet the great questions that had agitated the country 
for so long a time, had succeeded in deluding Mr. Buch- 
anan in regard to their real views and intentions ? Can 
any one suppose that the leading statesmen of the South 
who always had free access to the White House, and Avere 
welcomed to the hospitalities of the President, could so 
•utterly deceive him in regard to their designs ? Could 
it be possible that a man of the ability of Mr. Buchanan, 
with his familiarity with the politics of the country, and 
long intercourse with the leading men of the nation, 
could have been blinded as to the intentions of the arch- 
traitors and " fire-eaters" of the South ? No ! It requires 
too much credulity and charity to answer in the nega- 
tive. But let "US put the most charitable construction 
on his actions that we can, and what shall we say of 
them ? That the poor old dotard was in the traces and 
conld not kick out ; that he was bound hand and foot and 
had not the strength to release himself, and that he 
quietly acquiesced in their treasonable designs, hoping 
that the Government would be reconstructed upon a 
firmer basis by those who had treason in their hearts. 
The great principle of popular suffrage was to be vio- 
lated, the broad arena stretching to the Pacific, and far 
to the south was to be given up to human bondage. 
The African slave trade, with all its loathsome horrors, 
was to be re-opened, and for what ? To preserve a dis- 
honorable peace, that soon would be broken. 

But; thank God, the Administration of Mr. Buchanan 



22 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

was coming to a close, and through the dark clouds that 
empaled the Nation, a bright ray of hope shone upon the 
liorizon as Abraham Lincoln appeared upon the ship of 
state and seized the helm. 

The nation breathed freer, and patriots felt our Gov- 
ernment was a reality, and not a rope of sand. 



CHAPTER II. 



Sumter and the flag fired on— The aim and design of the 
leaders op the rebellion — justification of the course 
OF President Lincoln, 

ISTo President ever assumed the cares of State under 
more inauspicious circumstances than Mr. Lincoln did. 
Seven States had already seceded from the Union and 
were marshalling tlieir armies to maintain their independ- 
ence at the point of the bayonet, and the arch-traitors 
were using all their insidious wiles to seduce the remain- 
ing slave States from their allegiance to the Federal 
Government. From the Forum, Pulpit and Press was 
proclaimed the foulest treason, and the boast made that 
the " Stars and Bars" would soon float in triumph over the 
National Capitol. A large portion of the army had been 
surrendered by General Twiggs, in Texas, the remainder 
of it was on the Pacific coast, or scattered through the 
Territories of LUali and New Mexico, or stationed on 
our distant frontiers, while six hundred men were the 
entire available force which the Government was able to 
concentrate at Washington to secure the peaceful inau- 
guration of the President. All the available vessels of 
the navy were stationed in distant seas. Many of the 
purest patriots despaired of the Kepublic, foreign nations 
])roclaimed its doom was sealed, and " hope for a season 
bade the world farewell," while the hallowed light of 
Liberty paled before the gathering storm. But the 



SUMTER AND THE FLAG FIRED ON. 23 

Steadfast cHef heeded not tbe storm tliat swept across the 
land, but serene, firm and immovable, held aloft the 
lamp of hope, while he gathered the scattered strength 
of the Nation and matured his plans for its preservation. 

On the 11th of April, Leroy P. Walker, rebel Secre- 
tary of War, demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter, to 
which Major Anderson replied, that his sense of honor 
and his obligations to the Government prevented a com- 
phance. The next morning at two o'clock the rebel 
General Beauregard sent word to Major Anderson that 
if he would evacuate, he would not be fired upon, to 
which the Major replied, that, if not otherwise ordered 
or provisioned, he would be forced to evacuate by noon 
of the 15th inst. But the peaceful possession of the 
fort was not what the traitors desired; they wanted 
blood " to fire the Southern heart." 

In two hours afterwards, the batteries and fortifica- 
tions in Charleston harbor, seventeen in number, opened 
fire upon the fort, which was returned by Major Ander- 
son, and kept up on both sides all day without harni on 
either side, excepting the dismounting of two of Ander- 
son's guns. A slow fire was kept up all night, and re- 
sumed with great vigor early the next morning. At 
eight A. M., the officers' quarters took fire from a shell. 
Soon after a number of hand grenades and shells caught 
fire and exploded within the fort. At twelve o'clock, the 
whole roof of the barracks were in flames, and the maga- 
zine being in great danger, ninety barrels of gunpowder 
were taken out and thrown into the sea. The heat, 
smoke, and galling fire gradually exhausted the garri- 
son, and nearly suffocated them. At one P. M., after 
sustaining an attack of thirty-three hours, the fort was 
surrendered, the garrison being permitted to carry away 
the flag and all company arms and private property. .A 
salute of fifty guns was fired, and the glorious old flag 
was hauled clown, and the emblem of liberty and hope 
of the down-trodden and oppressed of tbe world gave 
place to the flag of treason. 



24 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

The greatest crime that was ever committed ao-ainst 
Jiberty and mankind was now consummated. Heaven 
itse f revolted at the act, and sent the hissing missiles 
ol death harmlessly on their course. The North was 
stupefied, and stood aghast at the enormity of the crime 
being unable to realize that the flag of such glorious 
memories should have been fired upon by those whom 
they looked upon as brothers, and whom they supposed 
would have given the best blood of their hearts to save 
irom dishonor. 

But let us consider for one moment what was the aim 
and design of the rebel leaders. Already a confederate 
tlag ot hiteen stars, one star for each slave State, inclusive 
oi Delaware and Maryland, had been flung to the breeze 
and it was solemnly proclaimed that the Confederacy 
would never yield any portion of the territory claimecl 
1 his virtually, and in fact, included Washington. On 
the fatal 12th of April, 1861, while the tidings of the 
assault on Sumter were travelling over the wires, the 
Kebel Secretary of War, in the presence of Jefferson 
JJavis and his colleagues, and of five thousand hearers 
declared that before the end of May "the flag which now 
flaunted the breeze would float over the dome of the 
Capitol at Washington." 

In pursuance of this original plan of the leaders of the 
rebellion, the capture of Washington has been continu- 
ally had m -view, not merely for the sake of its public 
buildings, as the capital of the Confederacy, but as the 
necessary preliminary to the absorption of the Border 
btates, and lor the moral effect in the eyes of Europe of 
possessing the metropolis of the Union. In speaking of 
t lis matter, the Hon. Edward Everett, in his addresi at 
the consecration of the National Cemetery, at Gettysburo- 
says: "the occupation of the National Capital, with th'e 
tjcizure of the public archives and of the treaties with 
loreign powers was an essential feature. This was in 
substance, within my personal knowledge, admitted, in 
the winter ol 18G0-G1, by one of the most influential 



THE AIM AND DESIGN" OF THE EEBEL LEADERS. 25 

leaders of the rebellion, and it was fondly tli ought that 
this object could be eftected by a bold and sudden move- 
ment on the 4th of March, 1861. There is abundant 
proof also, that a darker project was contemplated, if not 
by the responsible chiefs of the rebellion, yet by name- 
less ruf&ans, willing to play a subsidiary and murderous 
part in the treasonable drama. It was ^ accordingly 
maintained by the rebel emissaries abroad, in the circles 
to which they found access, that the new American 
minister ought not, when he arrived, to be received as 
the envoy of the United States, inasmuch as before that 
time Washington would be captured, and the Capital of 
the Nation, and the archives and muniments of the Gov- 
ernment would be in the possession of the Confederates." 

And what is secession but rebellion ? Eebellion, like 
any other revolutionary act, may be morally justified by 
the extremity of oppression. In monarchical govern- 
ments revolution is frequently justifiable, as the cart- 
ridge-box is the only means by which the popular 
opinion can be expressed. But in our country the solu- 
tion of all our political differences was wisely left to the 
decision of the ballot-box, which had heretofore served 
us upon every occasion, and had ever been respected. 

Andrew Jackson, in his Proclamation against the Nul- 
lification Act, in December, 1832, says : "And then add, 
if you can, without horror and remorse, this happy Union 
we will dissolve ; this picture of peace and prosperity 
we will deface ; this free intercourse we will interrupt ; 
these fertile fields we will deluge with blood; the pro- 
tection of that glorious flag we renounce ; the very name 
of Americans we discard. And for what, mistaken men, 
for what do you throw away these inestimable blessings? 
For what would you exchange your share in the advan- 
tages and honor of the Union ? In the dream of sepa- 
rate independence — a dream interrupted by bloody con- 
flicts with your neighbors, and a vile dependency on a 
foreign power." * -^ * "Its destroyers you cannot 
be. You may disturb its peace — you may interrupt the 



26 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

course of its prosperity — you may cloud its reputation 
for stability, but its tranquillity will be restored, its 
prosperity will return, and the stain upon its national 
character will be transferred and remain an eternal blot 
on the memory of those who caused the disorder." 

"Having the fullest confidence in the justness of the 
legal and constitutional opinions of my duties, which has 
been expressed, I rely, with equal confidence, on your 
undivided support in my determination to execute the 
laws, to preserve the Union by all constitutional means, 
to arrest, if possible, by moderate but firm measures, the 
necessity of a recourse to force ; and, if it be the will of 
Heaven, that the recurrence of its primeval curse on man 
for the shedding of a brother's blood should fall upon 
our land, that it be not called down by any offensive act 
on the part of the United States." 

Such, was the language of that sterling patriot when 
treason first raised its head in South Carolina. 

Was Mr. Lincoln justified in his determination to 
maintain the Union at all hazards, or should he have 
submitted peaceably to its dissolution ? A peaceable dis- 
solution was impossible, except by the surrender of the 
National Capital and the border States of Delaware, 
Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, all of 
which at the late election had gone against the South by 
casting their electoral votes for Mr. Bell, excepting Mis- 
souri, which went for Mr. Douglas. And more than 
this, all of them had sent delegates to meet those from 
the Northern States in a peace conference, and showed 
unmistakably their attachment to the Union. Delaware 
and Maryland refused to secede, Virginia elected 
Union delegates to the State Convention and refused 
to adopt the rebel constitution. Kentucky subsequently 
elected nine Union members of Congress and one seces- 
sion, Tennessee had elected a majority of Union dele- 
gates to a State convention and refused to hold a con- 
vention, and Missouri subsequently elected Union dele- 
ii^atcs to its State convention. Could the Government 



JUSTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 27 



withdraw its protection and support from tlie union-loving 
people of those States and surrender its Capital to 
traitors who would soon become a foreign and hostile 
nation? Could the Government voluntarily surrender 
the navigation of the Mississippi river, the great out- 
let of the Western States tp the Gulf of Mexico? 
Could a great Nation submit to its political death and 
destruction without an effort for self-preservation ? No, 
God forbid it, yet Americans have argued these ques- 
tions in the affirmative, but only those who were deceived 
themselves, or were trying to deceive others. But Mr. 
Lincoln, the chosen of the people, the instrument of God, 
was inspired with the knowledge that he held not only 
the destiny of the country, but of liberty throughout the 
world in his hand, and rose equal to the emergency. 

Throughout his inaugural address, he is firm, without 
being provoking. The limits of concession are clearly 
marked out, and a conciliatory spirit is maintained.^ The 
President, while manifesting the most pacific disposition, 
distinctly declares he will abandon none of the rights of 
the Government, but will leave to others the odium of 
aggression. He declares secession is unconstitutional, 
and nothing can induce him to consent to the destruc- 
tion of the Union. That he will endeavor to shun a war, 
that he will not be the aggressor, but that he will fulfill 
the duty of preserving federal property and collect fede- 
ral taxes in the South. '' In your hands," says Mr. Lm- 
. coin, " my dissatisfied fellow-citizens, in yours and not 
mine, is found the terrible question of civil war. The 
Government will not attack you ; you will have no con- 
flict, if you are not the aggressors. You have not, on 
your part, an oath registered in heaven to destroy the 
Government, whilst I, on my side, am about to take the 
most solemn oath to maintain, to protect and defend it." 
If Mr. Lincoln had acted otherwise than he did, he 
would have been derelict in his duty to his God, his 
country and mankind, and when the intelligence of the 
assault upon Fort Sumter was received, the issuing of his 



28 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand volunteers 
to maintain the laws of the United States over the seced- 
ing States, and admonishing the rebels to lay down their 
arms and quietly submit to the laws wdthin twenty, days, 
was but the response of the great American heart. And 
America's reply to the proclamation was such an uprising 
of free men as the world never witnessed before. Where 
ever it was received, it produced the wildest excitement 
and enthusiasm, the booming gun, the pealing bell, and 
rattlina: drum, announced it throusrhout the land, until 
from the broad Atlantic it rolled across the plains and 
echoed over the snow-clad peaks to the Pacific. 



CHAPTEE III. 



War for the Union— Pennsylvania's response — Organiza- 
tion OP THE Reserves — Colonels Mann's, Marsh's, and 

De KoRPONAY'S REGIMENTS — CaMP WASHINGTON — QUAINT 

Names — Whiskey in a musket barrel — Getting the coun- 
tersign. 

In Philadelphia business was suspended, flags were 
thrown to the breeze in every street, rendezvous were 
opened in every section, and placards calling for volun- 
teers, covered the walls of every corner. Eecruiting 
parties traversed the city in every direction, followed by 
crowds of men eager to enroll their names, the armories 
of the volunteer companies were crowded to overflowing 
with men drilling night and day, the public parks of the 
'city were given up for the same purpose, and the quietude 
of the Sabbath was forgotten amidst the preparation for 
war. The citizens furnished armories free of rent, and 
such of the volunteers as could not support themselves 
without work were fed on the bountiful supply of the 
neighborhood. The lady congregations of the diflterent 
churches set themselves diligently to work supplying 



PEX^s'SYLVANIA's eesponse. 29 

tlie volunteers witli shirts^ drawers, socks and other 
clothing aiul contributions of all sorts were freely given. 
The generous impulses of the heart of a nation never 
flowed freer. The soldiers rode free on the cars, and 
went free to all places of amusement. The only trouble 
the men had was to find companies that were sure of ac- 
ceptance, and some who had good reputations numbered 
two hundred and fifty and three hundred men, while all 
were rapidly filling up. In fact twenty thousand men 
could have been raised in the city in one week. 

The quota assigned to Pennsylvania was fourteen regi- 
ments, and in four days after the call six hundred men — 
the first to arrive for its defence — were placed in the Na- 
tional Capitol, and ten days later twenty-five regiments 
were organized and put in the field, eleven more being 
furnished by the State than called for. In fact, such was 
the patriotic ardor of the people, that the Adjutant-Gene- 
ral of the State, in his Annual Eeport for 1861, states, 
that the services of about thirty additional regiments had 
to be refused, making in all more than tAVo-thirds of the 
requisition of the President. Eight of these regiments 
were from Philadelphia, but there were scores of full 
companies that were not accepted. The second call for 
volunteers was made upon the State in May. The 
allotted share to Pennsylvania was ten regiments ; but 
the General Government would not allow these to be 
raised, but simply credited the State with them^ as she 
had already furnished more than her two quotas. 

The extra session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania 
convened on the 30th day of April, in pursuance of the 
proclamation of the Governor, fully appreciating the 
gigantic task the North had before them, wisely and 
patriotically resolved, in accordance with Governor Cur- 
tin's recommendation, to organize, arm, equip and dis- 
cipline a division to be called the " Reserve Volunteer 
Corps of the Commonwealth," and to be composed of 
thirteen regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, 
and one regiment of light artillery, to be held in readi- 



30 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

ness to obey any requisition the President might make 
on the State for troops. In organizing this division, the 
conception of which originated with the Governor^ the 
greatest difficulty he experienced was, not in finding 
officers and men to fill it, but to select between the 
numerous applicants who beset him night and day, not 
only in the executive chamber and public streets of the 
Capital, but even in his bed room. His Excellency 
having resolved that the division should be a true type 
of Pennsylvanians, proportioned it among the different 
counties, so that every township should be represented 
in it. 

Among the regiments organized in Philadelphia, at 
that time, were those known as Mann's, March's, and 
De Korponay's, from the first of which eight companies 
were accepted, from the second seven, and from the third 
five. All these were mustered into the State service 
about the latter part of May, by Captain Henry J. Biddle, 
Assistant Adjutant-General of the Division, at the Girard 
House, where the men went through the most severe 
medical examination by the surgeons, who required every 
man to strip, and rejected all who had the least blemish 
or defect. " Never," said Dr. Henry H. Smith, the Sur- 
geon-General of the State, " were a finer formed or more 
hardy body of men collected together in one division." 

Gabriel De Korponay commenced the organization of 
his regiment about the middle of April, and among the 
captains who joined with him were George A. Wood- 
ward, "Pennsylvania Eifles;" J. Orr Finnic, "Scotch 
Eifles;" B. M. Woodward, "Taggart Guards;" P. I. 
Smith, " Consolidation Guards ;" and I. W. Kimble, 
"Hatborough Guards." These captains were selected 
by the Governor from DeKorponaj^'s regiment. 

Wm. B. Mann commenced the organization of his 
regiment about the same time, and the companies chosen 
by the Governor were Captains P. McDonough, " Gover- 
nor's Eangers;" James N. Byrne, "Hibernia Target 
Company;" K. Ellis, "Governor's Eangers;" T. Bring- 



COLONEL M Ann's regiment. 3i 

hurst, "Governor's Guards;" T. Mealey, "Independent 
Rangers;" William Knox, "Constitutional Rangers;" 
Robert McClure, "Quaker City Guards;" and Wm. 
S. Thompson, "Montgomery Guards," (of Bristol, Pa.) 
All these companies were soon filled up to the maxi- 
mum number, but the men were in such a feverish 
state of excitement for fear they would not be mus- 
tered in, that difficulty was experienced in inducing 
them to stay long with any company that appeared to 
hang fire. Thus, after a few days recruiting, most of 
them had the necessary number of men, but after they 
had drilled awhile, they left to join other companies 
that they supposed were more likely to be accepted. 
But their places were readily filled by others who came 
from other companies under the same impression. 
Almost all the soldiers were supplied with flannel shirts 
and other articles of clothing by the congregations of 
the different churches ; most prominent among which m 
their liberality was patriotic Old Christ Church, which 
distributed no less than four thousand five hundred and 
seventy -two articles of clothing, most of which were 
made by the ladies of the church. 

On the 29th of May, the seven Philadelphia companies 
of Colonel Mann's regiment left the city for Camp Wash- 
ington, Easton, Pa., where they arrived during the after- 
noon. Prior to their departure they marched to the 
residence of the colonel at the corner of Fifth and Green 
streets, where they were presented with a magnificent 
and richly trimmed silk flag by a number of ladies, the 
presentation being made by Daniel Dougherty, Esq. 

On the morning of the 30th, the four Philadelphia 
companies of Colonel De Korponay's regiment, with the 
" Ontario Guards," Captain Horatio G. Sickel, formed on 
Broad street near Green, and under the command of 
Captain Sickel, marched to Master and America streets, 
where they took a special train on the North Pennsylva- 
nia Railroad, for Easton, at which place they arrived 
durino- che afternoon, aud marched out to camp ; quarters 



32 OUR CAMPAIGNS. ' 

were assigned tliem to the right of Colonel Mann's regi- 
ment. 

The camp was on the Fair Grounds of the Farmers' 
and Mechanics' Institute, which covered about thirt}^- 
five acres, situated on a level elevation about one and 
a-half miles west of Easton, and three-quarters of a mile 
north of the Lehigh river, in Northampton county. On 
the east and north sides of the enclosure were long rows 
of bunk rooms, three of which were assigned to each 
company. In front of each company's quarters were 
situated the kitchens, facing inward, and in their rear 
were the officers' quarters facing outwards. To the 
west, occupying about two-thirds of the enclosure, was 
the race course, and in the centre was situated the 
largo and capacious Fair buildings of imposing appear- 
ance and equal to any of its kind in the State. From 
its roof rose a' large and stately dome, from the balcony 
of which was presented a magnificent view of the sur- 
rounding country. To the north, far in the distance, lie 
the Kittatinny or Blue Eidge mountains, pierced on the 
right by the Delaware Water Gap, in the centre by the 
Wind Gap, and on the left by the Lehigh Water Gap. 
The intervening country is interspersed with rolling hills 
and gentle valleys, farm houses, and villages with their 
tapering spires, the most prominent of which are the 
Moravian towns of Bethlehem and Nazareth. On the 
south, from the Lehigh, the country gradually rises for 
the distance of two miles, where it is shut in by tlie 
lesser spurs of the Blue Kidge. On the east rolls the 
broad Delaware, and beyond it stretches in the distance 
the rolling country of New Jersey. 

The men immediately upon their arrival were fur- 
nished with tincups, plates, spoons, knives and foi'ks, a 
day's rations, and plenty of straw to sleep upon. The 
next day was spent in getting things in order, and by 
the following morning they were settled down and ready 
to commence the routine of camp. Colonel Mann, com- 
manding the camp, issued the following ''calls" to be 



* CAMP TVASHTXGTOy. 33 

sounded: Eeveille, 4 A. M.; Drill, 4|; Recall, 6; Break- 
fast, 7; Guard Mounting, TJ; Fatigue, 7| ; Sick Call, 8; 
Drill, 9; Recall, 10; Orderlies' Call, 12 M.; Dinner, 12 J 
P. M.; Drill, 6; Recall, 7; Supper, 7^; Tattoo, 9; Taps, 
9 J. Four roll calls were had each day, and in a little 
while every thing worked with the regularity of ma- 
chinery. During the intervals between drills, the men 
amused themselves in various ways, mostly in one-half 
sleeping, while the other half de^-iled them. Quoits, 
foot-ball, boxing and sparring, singing and playing, and 
all sorts of pranks were continually going on, and alto- 
gether they appeared the happiest and merriest set of 
men in the world. 

One of the most interesting scenes was the policing 
the camp.- The guard of the previous day had liberty 
from 10 A. M., until 4 P. M., and the next day were 
required to perform the police duty of the camp. Armed 
with rakes and hickory brooms, they gathered the straw, 
rubbish and old bones into heaps, to be removed in 
wagons. This duty is alwaj^s disliked by soldiers, as in 
fact all work is, but as they marched out, with their im- 
plements at a ''shoulder," it was with the mock ceremony 
of troops leaving for "the sacred soil of Virginia." and 
many " a good-by" and "God bless you" was heard, as 
their puckered lips whistled out " The girl I left behind 
me." 

A few days after our arrival. Colonel March's seven 
companies came into camp, and others soon after fol- 
lowed, and by the 12th of June, there v/ere twenty-five 
companies, numbering one thousand nine hundred ancl 
fil'ty-six ofl&cers and men present. As no clothing or 
blankets were as yet furnished by Government, and as the 
men had brought nothing with them except what they 
stood in, they soon presented a rather ragged appearance, 
which, however, did not in the least afiect their buoyant 
spirits. The citizens of the borough of Easton, however, 
with a noble generosity took the matter in hand, and 
determined to do all in their power to render the soldiers 

3 



^"^ OUE CAMPAIGN'S. « 

comfortable. A Ladies' Aid Society was formed, which 
furmshed every necessary supply of clothing, blankets, 
comfortab es, flannels, jellies, etc., for the hospital, and a 
large number of quilts, pantaloons, shirts, towels, etc., for 
the camp. ' 

_ The soldiers wilUlways remember with gratitude, the 
kindness of the citizens of Easton, which was bestowed 
upon them without ostentation. The food furnished was 
abundant, and of the best quality, consisting of fresh 
beef, wheat bread, potatoes, rice, beans, bacon, coffee 
sugar and small stores, but considerable sickness pre- 
vailed among the men, arising from the free use of lime- 
stone water, to wnich they were unaccustomed, but there 
was no serious illness. In the place of a well, the supply 
came from a large cistern, in which was caught the rain 
water from the roof of the Fair building, and that hauled 
from the borough of Easton in casks. As a sanitary 
precaution the whole camp was vaccinated, and to pro- 
mote the general health, the men were taken to the 
Lehigh three times a week, where they enjoyed the 
luxury of bathmg. Upon such occasions there would 
sometimes be a thousand men in the water at onee and 
they hugely enjoyed the sport of diving, splashing' and 
paddling around in general. The great feat amono- the 
expert swimmers, was to cross and recross the nver 
without resting. 

Among the first things that agitated the brains of the 
men, was to devise quaint names and mottoes to place 
over the doors of their quarters, and although they were 
not purely classical, some of them were typical of those 
who adopted them. 

Commencing on the extreme south of the eastern side 
was Captain McDonough's company, with " Fourth Ward' 
City of Philadelphia;" "Fort McCandless, Sergeant Dillon 
commanding;" "Fort Mann, Lieutenant John J Gill 

commanding;" "Fort , Lieutenant J. D.Schoek 

commanding." On the right of this was "The Quaker 
City Head Quarters ;" " Camp McClure ;" " Fort Win T 



QUAINT NAMES. 35 

Blundin ;" '' Quaker Bridal Chamber ;" " Calahan Hall ;" 
" Live and let live." Next, " Fort James N. Byrnes ;" 
"Screws;" "Hibernia Fire Engine Company;" "Bird in 
Hand;" "Finney House." Next, "Continental Hotel," 
" The Rose Cottage ;" " Dart's Head Quarters :" " Hard 
Corner Sharps;" "The Old House at Home;" "Inde- 
pendent Rangers;" "Nailer's Head Quarters;" "Gay 
Rooster;" "Diamond Hall;" "Don't Tread on me;" 
"Minerva Hall;" "Git up and Git;" "Old Lebanon Gar- 
den, Captain Mealey." 

Next, "Happy Home of the Constitutional Rangers, 
Captain William Knox ;" " Punch Bowl Hotel ;" " Black 
Horse Hotel;" "Astor House;" "Ellsworth Hotel;" 
" The Government keeps us, and we will keep the Go- 
vernment;" "Cohocksink Hotel;" "District Attorney's 
Office ;" Notice, " Upon any liquors being brought in, 
the moral character of applicants to practice at the Bar, 
must be strictly inquired into." Next, " Bristol Boys, 
Captain Wm. S. Thompson ;" " Bower of Love ;" " Happy 
Crew;" "The Old School House;" "The Old Spring 
House;" "Hole in the Wall;" " Montgomery Guards ;" 
Next, " Einwechter's Head Quarters;" "Tenth and. 
Eleventh Street Depot, Exchange Tickets, Seven cents ;" 
" The Serious Family ;" "Out for a Day's shooting." 

Next, " Ontario House, Captain Horatio G. Sickel ;" 
" Donaghy's Inn ;" "Bill Pool Club;" "We Respect all, 
and Fear none;" "Never Sink;" "Live Oak;" "Ken- 
sington Boys;" "Hike out and Simmer down." Next, 
" Balmoral Castle ;" " Scotch Rifles, Captain J. Orr Fin- 
nic ;" "Wallace's Cave, Lieutenant J. B. Fletcher;" "De 
Korponaiy ;" " Struther's Retreat ;" " Poney Hall." Next, 
"Penn Rifles, Captain George A. Woodward;" "De 
Korponay;" "The Flag Wyoming." Next, "Taggart 
Guards;" "De Korponay Bricks;" "Sunday Mercury, 
Captain E. M. Woodward ;" " Spicket's Head Quarters ;" 
"Railroad House;" "The abode of Virtue." Next, "Con- 
solidation Guards, Captain P. I. Smith ;" " De Korpo- 
nay Pidgeon Box ;" " Gay and Happy ;" " Fort Defi- 



S6 OVU CAMPAIGNS. 

ance." N'ext, " Ilatborough Guards, Captain I. W. Kim- 
ble ;" " Free and Easy ;" '' Happy Family." 

Next, " Wide Awake Hall, Captain Wm. D. Curtis ;" 
"Long Island, of Reading;" "Keystone Hook and Lad- 
der Company;" "Elephant Guards." Next, "The Star 
of North Birdsboro', Captain Jacob Lenhart;" "Fort 
Sumter;" "Japanese Hotel ;" "Arctic Circle;" "Death to 
Traitors;" "Jeff Davis at the Sheriff's Ball;" "The Blue 
Eyed Stranger;" "Moonlight Assassinators;" "Mount 
Yernon ;" " Washington and Lincoln ;" " Victory or 
Death;" "White Hall, Newtown, Captain David Y. 
Feaster ;" "Traitor Hunters ;" " Love and Glory ;" " Game 
Chickens;" "Ellsworth Avengers;" "Rebel Killers;" 
"Hard Scrabble Rangers;" "Chester County Yolun- 
teers;" " Never Surrender ;" "The Wheat Field;" "The 
Red Curtin;" "Susquehanna Tigers;" "Gloria Dei;" 
" Ellsworth's Heart," etc. 

Guard mounting in the morning was an interesting 
ceremony, the guard numbering one hundred and two 
men, which, with the band, made a fine display. Of 
course, it could not be supposed with so many young 
men in camp, many of whom were for the first time free 
from the restraints of home, they Avould all conduct 
themselves , with the strictest decorum. Li fact there 
were many of them who looked upon the arrangement as 
a grand pic-nic or excursion, and were bound to enjoy 
themselves as much as possible, and took particular de- 
light in dodging the guard. But four men from each 
company, inclusive of the old guard, were permitted to 
be absent from camp at a time, but quite a number more 
managed to get out without authority. Almost every 
bunk had its " rat hole" dug under the back partition, 
through which the boys made their exit despite the guard. 
Some of these gentlemen upon their return would be 
caught, and put in the guard house, but it being soon 
discovered that it afforded a most easy means of 
egress, Colonel Mann determined to build one of logs 
inside of the enclosure with only a small aperture for 



• WHISKEY IN A MUSKET BAKREL. 37 

inoTess and egress. This was pronounced by the men 
to'^be a real "Black bouse of refuge," and served most 
admirably the purpose intended, but really it was quite 
amusing to see the artful dodges resorted to by some ot 
the inmates to overcome the difficulties. ^ _ 

An " officer of the day," on one occasion, upon yisit- 
ino- the guard house, found the guard and one of the 
prisoners in a violent altercation, the guard with his 
musket between the logs trying to bayonet the prisoner. 
Complimenting the guard upon the zeal displayed, 
he was privately cautioned not to wound any ol the 
prisoners, and advised to take no notice of the naughty 
names they called him. The officer afterwards was 
hicrhly edified to learn that the guard having his musket 
ba°rrel filled with whiskey, was engaged m treating the 
prisoner when surprised by him. ^ -, -, . 

With the countersign an officer or private could enter 
the camp at any time of night, but it was seldom given 
to the men, yet some of them were cute enough to get it, 
when wanted. The most successful one in this arrange- 
ment was an eccentric genius in Company A, Avho 
managed to get in and out almost every night. His 
modus operandi was taking a musket and crawling up to 
one of the guards and telUng him he was on the next 
post and had forgotten the countersign. Some times he 
would take half a company out with him, when they 
would 2-0 to town and have a grand time dancing, ilie 
men njon such occasions seldom went to excess or 
troubled the citizens, but were iuordinately fond of sing- ■ 
ino- patriotic songs at unseasonable hours of the night, 
which disturbed the quietude of the town, but the 
borough watchmen never interfered with them. Colonel 
Mann, however, was not unmindful of his duty to the 
citizens, and sent out nightly patro s to pick up the boys 
who should be in bed, and they seldom had any trouble 
in persuading their comrades to return with them 

In fair weather the camp presented an animated ap- 
pearance, it being the fashionable resort of the neighbor- 



88 



OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



mg farmers and tlie citizens of Easton, particularly on 
Sundays, when in addition to the evening " dress parade," 
the troops, headed by their band, passed in review before 
Colonel Mann, and marched around the race course. The 
female visitors to the camp were not always of the most 
refined and unexceptionble class, and although they pos- 
sessed much patriotism and love for the soldiers, it occa- 
sionally was found necessary to drum them out, and 
ilthough it produced much merriment to the spectators, 
t was rather distasteful to the individuals themselves. 

While laying at Camp Washington, the remains of 
lohn Lerch, of Captain Dachrodt's company. First Eeoi- 
nent Pennsylvania Volunteers (three months men) were 
ent to Easton for interment. The funeral obsequies 
vas performed by the Taggart Guards, Lieutenant J. K. 
3rown, and the Constitutional Rangers, Captain Thomas 
^rmghurst, the battalion being under the command of 
Japtam Woodward. The ceremony was very imposing 
'omp's Cornet Band, with muffled drums, plavino- the 
Dead March in Saul." 'i ^ ^ 

The funeral of young Moyer of the same regiment, 
Iso took place ; the escort consisting of the " wflliams- 
'urg Legion," Captain F. Burger; the "Quaker City 
mards," Captain R. M. McClure; the "Ilarmer Guards " 
Japtam Thomas F. B. Tapper; the "Hatborough Rifles 
iaptam I. W. Kimble ; the " Governor's Rangers," Lieu- 
inant George Young ; the " Dickson Guards," Lieuten- 
iit J. B. Baker; the "Reed Guards," Lieutenant P. M 
>avis; the "Able Guards," Lieutenant Thomas G* 
»'Hara ; the " Governor's Guards," J. D. Edwards, the 
Governor's Rangers," Lieutenant John D. Schock ; the 
attahon being under the command of Captain Ellis. It 
as many years since Easton had witnessed such funeral 
iremonies. 



ORGANIZATIOX OF KESERYE3. 39 



CHAPTEE IV. 

Organization of the Second, Thikd and Fourth Preserves. 
Dissatisfaction therewith. Election of Field Officers. 
Watched and fanned all night. Departure of the 
Fourth and Third Regiments. 

On the 14t1i of June, General McCall visited the camp 
to organize the regiments, supposing the independent 
companies had formed voluntary associations with one 
or the other of the three colonels who had parts of their 
regiments quartered there. Not finding such to be the 
case, however, after a consultation with Colonel Mann, 
the general issued an order for the organization of the 
camp, which order, after stating that ''the best interests 
of the service demanded that the companies brought to- 
gether at this camp shall be organized at the earliest day 
practicable," went on to say, " it would be desirable that 
the proposed organization should be arranged by the 
voluntary association of companies." He concluded by 
ordering that if such voluntary association could not be 
effected"^ by the 19th inst., inclusive, the " organization 
would be conducted in the following manner : The ten 
companies which first arrived in camp and in the order 
they are now quartered, will constitute a regiment, to be 
known as the Second regiment ; the next ten will form 
the Third regiment, and the last ten will form the 
Fourth regiment of the Pennsylvania Eeserve Volun- 
teer Corps. Each regiment so formed, will proceed with- 
out delay to elect their field of&cers." The companies, 
as quartered, were : First, eight of Colonel Mann's and 
two independent ; next, five of Colonel De Korponay's ; 
next, five independent ; next and last, seven of Colonel 
Marsh's and three independent. 

On the 20th, General McCall again visited the camp, 
and in the evening convened the captains at the commis- 
sary's building, and proceeded to organize the regiments. 



40 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

As no voluntary associations had been effected, the order 
was read, when Lieutenant H. Clay Beatty arose and 
stated that as Captain Thompson's company did not 
arrive until several days after De Korponay's had, he 
should not be thrown into the first division. Against 
this the De Korponay companies earnestly protested, 
maintaining that as they were the companies assigned to 
the colonel by the Governor, they could not be taken 
from him, and -as Captain Thompson's company had been 
accepted by the Governor as one of Colonel Mann's, he 
rightfully belonged to him, and that the mere fact of the 
delay of a few days in his arrival in camp, where quar- 
ters had been assigned, and kept for him, did not alter 
the case. After considerable argument, the General an- 
nounced that the names of Captains Thompson and 
Sickel and four of De Korponay's captains be placed in 
a hat, aijd the question of which two companies should 
go to Colonel Mann, be decided by lot. 

This gave two chances to one against Colonel De Kor- 
ponay. Lieutenant Henry A. Scheetz, aid-de-camp to 
General McCall, drew the slips, and the first two names 
drawn were Captains G. A. Woodward and E. M. Wood- 
ward. This destroyed all hope of the De Korponay 
regiment. It cannot be denied, the officers and men 
were deepl}^ attached to De Korponay, and the effect of 
this blow upon them v/as severely felt. A captain of 
one of the companies detached, threw himself upon his 
hands and wept like a child, and his company broke out 
in open mutiny, and attempted to seize a number of 
muskets in a neighboring of&cer's quarters. It was with 
the utmost difficulty the other De Korponay's companies 
could be kept quiet, and in fact it was deemed necessary 
to order out the whole camp for the purpose. Though 
defeated, the De Korponay companies desired to remain 
together, for which purpose. Captains Smith and Finnie 
of the Third regiment exchanged with Captains Thomp- 
son and McClure of the Second regiment. 

The three regiments having now been formed; elec- 



FOURTH OF JULY IN" CAMP. 41 

tions were held in them the next day for Field Officerb^, 
which resulted as follows : 

Second Regiment. — Colonel, Wm. B. Mann. Lieutenant- 
Colonel, Albert L. Magilton. • Major, Wm. McCandless. 

Third Regiment.^-HoTSLtio G. Sickel. Lieutenant- 
Colonel, Wm. S. Thompson. Major, Kichard H. Wool, 
worth. 

Fourth Regiment. — Colonel, Eobert G. March. Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, John F. Gaul. Major,' Eobert M. 
McClure. 

The four De .Korponay companies of the Second Eegi- 
ment, cast a unanimous vote for Colonel De Korponay 
and Lieutenant- Colonel A. L. Snowden. 

Soon after, the men commenced receiving clothing 
from the State, the first instalment, consisting of twenty 
blankets and forty pair of shoes for each company, and 
some time after their complete outfit and arms came. 

The Fourth of July in due course of time rolled round, 
and was duly celebrated with the usual festivities appro- 
priate for the occasion. Of course the liberty of the 
camp was much enlarged, and the number of passes to 
town largely increased, while a still larger proportion of 
" absent without leave," managed to get out. Although 
many of the patriots' brains became in a highly inflam- 
matory state, every thing passed off' in good humor, and 
taking all things into consideration, they had a very 
happy and jovial time. As a precautionary measure, 
heavy details were sent from camp to patrol the town 
and collect the disabled, who were conveyed to camp 
and carefully stowed away in their bunks, until they 
became refreshed with sleep. 

For the better accommodation of the sick, a large 
hospital was erected near the centre of the ,race course, 
in a wooded grove, to which was attached a laboratory, 
kitchen, washing and dining rooms. This building was 
appropriated to the Second Eegiment, the hospitals of 
the Third and Fourth Eegiraents being located at the 
Head-quarters of their respective colonels. 



42 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

One day upon tlie arrival of the Pliiladelphia train at 
South Easton, a young soldier who was "slightly inebri- 
ated," fell through the trestle work upon a coal pile 
below, a distance of twenty feet, and his Captain and one 
of the Surgeon's being there, immediately went to his 
assistance, but before their arrival he had got up and 
started for camp. Fearing he was internally hurt, they 
started in pursuit, and .soon overtaking him, detained 
him until an ambulance could be sent for. Night came, 
but no ambulance,, so he was put in a carriage, conveyed 
to camp, stripped, examined and lapped up in warm 
blankets and put to bed in his bunk. In the meantime 
the ambulance came down the street in search of the 
wounded soldier, and finding a ^' green shirter," stretched 
upon a cellar door, he was carefully picked up and con- 
veyed with brotherly care to the Camp Hospital, where 
two of his comrades were detailed to watch over and fan 
him through the night. 

Through the long and weary hours, faithfully did they 
perform their charge, with a love and watchfulness 
known only among comrades. The morning came, but 
the soldier still slept, until at last the Surgeon approach 
ing him, gently woke him up. " Andy, my boy, how do 
you feel?" "Feel," replied the bewildered boy, as he 
gazed upon the strange scene around him, "feel, why 
where am I? what has happened to me?" "Ah, Andy,' 
replied the Surgeon in a kind and gentle voice, as he 
stripped off the bed clothing to examine him, "I fear you 
are seriously hurt ; you fell through the tressel work at 
South Easton, and the only wonder is, it did not kill you 
instantly. Draw your leg up and stretch it out." Andy 
with some misgivings, slowly obeyed. "Draw up the 
other one — now stretch out your arms." " Does that 
hurt you," said the Surgeon as he pressed his ribs and 
breast. "No, sir," replied Andy. 

" See here, young man," said the Surgeon, beginning 
to smell a rat, "I guess you were drunk last night, get 
up out of that bed and travel." " Well," replied Andy, 



REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNOR. 43 

as the trutli flashed upon him, and a comical expression 
came over his face, " I think yon gness right, but Doctor, 
hadn't you better set those broken bones of mine first?'' 
As Andy passed down the ward, a tittering was heard 
among the patients, and some unable to repress their 
smiles, covered their heads with their blankets, and gave 
vent to hearty laughter. A quiet old gentleman who 
witnessed the scene, called Andy to one side as he passed 
through the laboratory, and gave him a drink of brandy, 
remarking, that "that would set his bones all riglit." 
Andy enjoyed the arrangement wonderfully, and was 
always afterwards on the best terms with the Surgeon. 
The young man who fell through the tressel work, was 
on drill the next morning as sound as ever. 

On the 14th, His Excellency, Andrew G. Curtin, 
Governor of the State arrived, and a review of the troops 
was ordered. The men were dressed in their light blue 
pants, neat dark blue blouses, and fatigue caps, with 
their muskets and brasses as bright as new dollars. 
Being thrown into column of companies, they passed in 
review before His Excellency, who was surrounded by 
his staff. The affair was very creditable for newly 
organized troops, and the Governor expressed himself 
much pleased. 

The next day. Major H. D. Maxwell, the Paymaster- 
General of the State of Pennsylvania, arrived in camp 
and commenced paying off' the Second Eegiment, but 
when he got through with two companies, orders were 
received for the Fourth to prepare to march, so the pay- 
ment of the Second was suspended, and that of the 
Eourth commenced and got through within a short time. 

On the 16th, the Fourth, Colonel March, left the camp 
and proceeded by rail to Harrisburg. The payment of 
the Second and Third Kegiments was resumed and soon 
completed, and on the 22d, the Third, Colonel Sickel, 
was ordered to Harrisburg. 



44 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



CHAPTER Y. 

Depakture op the Second. Its Roster. Camp Curtin. 
Leave the State without being mustered into the United 
States service. Marching without orders. Baltimore. 
Sandy Hook. Discontent among the men. Refusal to 

TAKE the oath. SeNT HOME IN DISGRACE. StRANGE MISMAN- 
AGEMENT. March to Berlin. 

The news of the disastrous battle of Bull Run being 
received, orders were issued for the Second Regiment to 
prepare to move on the morning of the 24th of July, and 
accordingly about nine o'clock, they bid farewell to the 
camp, and marched through Easton across the Lehigh to 
the depot. Pomp's Cornet Band escorted them, the bells 
were rung, the citizens cheered, and -the ladies waved 
their handkerchiefs. The organization of the Regiment 
was as follows : 

Colonel, Wm. B. Mann. Lieutenant-Colonel, A. L. 

Magilton. Major, Wm. McCandless. Adjutant, 

. Quartermaster, Charles E. Hoyt. Surgeon, 

Thomas B. Reed. Assistant Surgeon, J. W: Lodge. 
Sergeant Major, Augustus T. Cross. Quartermaster 
Sergeant, Wesley S. Mann. 

Company ^.—Captain, G. A. Woodward. First Lieu- 
tenant, R. H. Loudon. Second Lieutenant, Horace Neide. 

Company ^.—Captain, P. McDonough. First Lieu- 
tenant, John D. Schock. Second Lieutenant, John J. 
Gill. 

Company (7.— Captain, James N. Byrnes. First Lieu- 
'tenant, John B. Robinson. Second Lieutenant, Frank 
Fox. 

Company Z>.— Captain, R, Ellis. First Lieutenant, 
John Curley. Second Lieutenant, George Young. 

Company ^.—Captain, J. Orr Finnic. First Lieu- 
tenant, J. Baxter Fletcher. Second Lieutenant, Alex- 
ander Black. 



DEPARTUEE. 45 

Company F. — Captain, Thomas Bringlinrst. First 
Lieutenant, George W. Kite. Second Lieutenant, Wil- 
liam J. D. Edwards, 

Company 0. — Captain, E. M. Woodward. First Lieu- 
tenant, Henry A. Scheetz. Second Lieutenant, John K. 
Brown. 

Comjjany ZT.— Captain, Timothy Mealey. First Lieu- 
tenant, Peter Summers. Second Lieutenant, . 

Company /.—Captain, William Knox. First Lieu- 
tenant, Thomas Weir. Second Lieutenant, John H. 
Jack. 

Company Z".— Captain, P. I. Smith. First Lieutenant, 
Isaac J. Harvey. Second Lieutenant, James C. Justus. 

Amidst the cheers of the crowd the cars moved off, 
and the day being excessively warm, the boys soon pro- 
ceeded to produce ventilation by knocking the sides out 
of the freight cars, with the butts of their muskets. 
Although the tops of the cars were crowded, and the 
bridges on the road were very low, but one man was 
hurt°daring the passage, he receiving a severe contusion 
on the back of the head, that set him so wild, that it re- 
quired several men to hold him down to prevent his 
jumping off". Along the route flags were displaj^ed from 
the houses, and at the villages the populace turned out 
en masse to welcome our passage. About four o'clock 
in the afternoon we arrived at Harrisburg, and marched 
out to Camp Curtin, where we enjoyed the novelty and 
romance of sleeping upon the soft green grass, with 
nothing but the vault of heaven above us, from which 
descended a copious shower of rain during the night. 

All the regiments of the Eeserve, we believe, with but 
one exception, were mustered into the United States ser- 
vice before leaving the State, and it was Colonel Mann's 
desire we should also be, but as it would cause a delay 
of some days, the Colonel was induced by Lieutenant- 
colonel Magilton, and with the consent of the Governor, 
to proceed to Baltimore without its being done. Ac- 
cordingly, at two o'clock the next afternoon we marched 



46 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

to the railroad, and at dark took the cars and proceeded 
on our way several miles, where we laid on a sideling 
until near daybreak the next morning, when moving on, 
we arrived at Baltimore early in the afternoon, and slept 
that night upon a common opposite the depot. 

Upon the regiment being reported to General Dix, 
who commanded the Department, and he ascertaining 
we came there without any orders, he declined having 
any thing to do with us, until he telegraphed to Simon 
Cameron, the Secretary of War, upon the subject. Mr. 
Cameron, probably vexed at such unauthorized proceed- 
ings, and being on bad terms with ^Colonel Mann, on 
account of his defeat in the gubernatorial convention, 
replied in a very unsatisfactory manner, when it was de- 
termined to move the regiment to Sandy Hook, which 
point was then reported to be threatened by the rebels 
under General Jackson. 

Early on Sunday morning, July 2Sth, our regiment 
marched through the city to the depot of the Baltimore 
and Ohio Kailroad, where we took cars for Sandy Hook. 
It numbered one thousand and one, officers and men, 
and were as fine a body of soldiers as ever passed through 
the city. Their neat new uniform, their steady tramp 
and well-dressed lines, with their martial bearing, at- 
tracted the attention of all, and many were the inquiries 
as to what regiment it was. At the depot they were 
met by the Union Eelief Committee, who supplied them 
with an abundance of ice-water. On the route to Sandy 
Hook many American flags were displayed; and at 
Ellicott's Mills unmistakable signs of loyalty were shown 
by the waving of handkerchiefs and the cheers of the 
people. We arrived at the " Point of Eocks," about four 
P. M., where we found two companies of Vermont three 
months volunteers, guarding that point. The bridge at 
this place was burnt by the rebels on the 8th of June, 
and a huge rock, many tons in weight, tumbled upon 
the track. The rebels may have been picketing on the 
opposite bank of the Potomac, but whether they were or 



SANDY HOOK. 47 

not, tlie boys had the satisfaction of imagining they saw 
them. After an hour's delay, we started on, finding the 
road picketed for twelve miles up, the distance to Sandy 
Hook, where we arrived after dark, and found many of 
the three months men on their way home, their time 
having expired, and all the army having that day crossed 
to the Maryland shore of the Potomac, except a few left 
to occupy Harper's Ferry, about two miles above. It 
had been raining hard through the afternoon, the night 
was exceedingly dark and unpleasant, and after remain- 
ing a long while awaiting orders, the men laid down 
along the road and went to sleep. 

The next morning was oppressively hot, and after 
making coffee, we formed and marched to Pleasant val- 
le}^ a table-land plateau, about a mile back from, and 
some four hundred feet above, the Potomac. This 
valley lays between the mountains known as Maryland 
Heights, abutting opposite Harper's Ferry, and a spur of 
the Blue Eidge, terminating on the Potomac, at the vil- 
lage of Knoxville, on the Baltimore and Ohio Kailroad, 
overlooking Harper's Ferry, Sandy Hook, and Knoxville, 
and commanding the country roads running from the 
former place towards Hagerstown and Frederick. The 
location was unassailable, except from the opposite 
Virginia or Loudon Heights, which would really com- 
mand the position, but for the existence of obstacles 
almost insuperable to the placing of any battery there. 
Here we encamped in a wheat stubble-field, and received 
our camp equipage and tents. 

The night of our arrival, the regiment was reported to 
General Banks, commanding the Department of the 
Shenandoah, whose first inquiry was by whose authority 
we came there, and upon his ascertaining we had come 
upon our "own hook," he declined to have any thing to 
do with us, until he communicated with the War De- 
partment. The general, however, assigned us camping 
grounds, and the next day before night, the colonel suc- 
ceeded in obtaining for the men a part of a ration, by 



48 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

indemnifying the commissary of subsistence from any 
loss. 

Discontent among the men soon commenced showing 
itself, and was increased from the fact of our being en- 
camped next to the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, of which De Korponay was Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and who received their full ration, and of a much better 
quality than our own. A rumor, that obtained much 
credence among the men, was put afloat, to the effect, 
that they being out of the State of Pennsylvania, and 
not mustered into the United States service, there was 
no power to hold them. It soon after coming to the 
knowledge of General Banks that an ofl&cer of another 
regiment was tampering with the men, and had offered 
to enlist them in his regiment if they would not be mus- 
tered in, an order was issued by him prohibiting the 
enlistment of any of the men, under penalty of cashiering 
the officer who did so, and directing the drumming out 
of camp of any of them found enlisted. This discontent, 
there is not the slightest doubt, was countenanced and 
encouraged by a field officer of our own regiment, whose 
object was to bring Colonel Mana into bad repute, and 
wear the eagles upon his own shoulders. Secret meet- 
ings were held by the men, and the ringleaders were led 
to suppose that if the regiment was broken up, they 
would be sent to Philadelphia, and that the would-be- 
colonel would obtain permission to reorganize them, and 
they would be made officers. 

This discontent continued until the 1st of August, 
when it reached its climax. That afternoon Lieutenant- 
colonel Fitz John Porter, U. S. A., " the extreme West 
Pointer," was sent by General Banks to muster the regi- 
ment in. Con^mencing on the right, he discovered muti- 
nous intentions among a portion of the men, which ex- 
tended to every company in the regiment. This was 
increased by his very injudicious remarks, he apparently 
caring very little whether the men were mustered in or 
not. When they were ordered to hold up their right 



SENT HOME. 49 

hand and take the oath of allegiance to their Govern- 
ment, about one-fourth refused to do so. The reasons 
assigned by them was, that they were armed with 
smooth-bored muskets, (the only ones the Government 
at that time could give them,) their crowded tents, (five 
in each,) bad rations, (better than some of them got at 
home,) not having overcoats, (in the middle of Summer,) 
their unwillingness to serve under Colonel Mann, (their 
own choice,) they, in fact, like all other men who were 
doing wrong, using every subterfuge to justify their con- 
duct. They were marched to their quarters, and the 
names of all who had taken the oath, forwarded to head- 
quarters. 

The next morning the regiment was again called out 
to have the oath administered, and to the surprise of all, 
those who had taken the oath the day before, were re- 
quired to take it again, they being informed that those 
who refused would be sent home in disgrace. The con- 
sequence of such injudicious proceedings was what 
might have been expected, and instead of one-foarth, 
nearly one-third, or three hundred and twenty refused. 
They were then marched to General Thomas' headquar- 
ters, ordered to stack arms, divest themselves of their 
accoutrements, and strip oft' their blouses and blue pants, 
retaining only their linen pants and shirts. An order 
was then issued detailing eleven officers, leaving five 
companies without any officers, to conduct them to Phila- 
delphia, it stating, "this order is peremptory, and must 
not be disobeyed." Late that afternoon they left Sandy 
Hook in a special train, the men giving Lieutenant- 
colonel Magilton three cheers at their departure. They 
conducted themselves very orderly, and at Broad and 
Prime streets were dismissed to their homes, but how 
they were received we know not. 

The officers having learned Governor Curtin was in 
the city, proceeded to the Continental Hotel to call upon 
him, but he at first declined having an interview with 
them. Having granted one, however, what was their 

4 



50 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

surprise and indignation at being shown a telegram he 
bad just received from General Banks' Assistant Adju- 
tant-general, stating that they, and over three hundred 
of the men, having refused to take the oath of allegiance, 
had been sent home in disgrace. A few moments' con- 
versation, however, satisfied His Excellency that a gross 
and dishonorable deception had been practiced by some 
officer of the regiment upon General Banks, and he ex- 
pressed his willingness to issue an order to have the 
officers mustered in immediately, and furnish them with 
transportation back to their regiment. But as the offi- 
cers had been mustered in, the order was unnecessary. 

Upon their arrival back at Sandy Hook, they were 
met with another unaccountable surprise, in finding that 
the men whom they had left in camp, and who had been 
sworn into the service twice before, had been called upon 
that day to take the oath for the third time. " It is 
necessary," said the men, "for a good soldier to carry a 
Bible with him to be sworn in on, or he will find himself 
discharged before he knows anything about it." In fact, 
many of the men, finding it easier to get out of the ser- 
vice than to stay in it, concluded to go home and enter 
some other regiment, and ,out of one thousand and one 
men who marched through Baltimore two weeks before, 
but a little over four hundred remained. The men 
whose officers had been sent home with the deserters, 
being told they would not return, and that they would 
be transferred to other companies, left almost in a body. 

Who was responsible for such unaccountable and 
criminally mismanaged proceedings, the reader must 
judge for himself It is just to those men to state, though 
they deserted the flag when almost within sight of the 
enemy, that, with few exceptions, they entered the ser- 
vice again, and their blood has been poured out upon 
almost every battle-field of the Army of the Potomac. • 

On Sunday morning the 11th, the Independent Ran- 
gers, of Philadelphia, Captain Wm. McMullin, who were 
encamped near by, started home, being escorted to the 



TO BERLIN. 51 

cars by Company D. The next morning, The First City 
Troop of Philadelphia Light Cavalry, Captain James, 
broke camp and marched homeward, via Hagerstown 
and Baltimore, being escorted a distance on their way 
"by the Twenty-Eighth Eegim>ent Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, Colonel Geary. These two companies at the re- 
quest of the general, had consented to remain some time 
after their term of service expired, for which they re- 
ceived his thanks. 

On the 13th, Colonel Geary received orders to march 
to the Point of Kocks, twelve miles down the Potomac, 
and after dark they got into motion, a guide being em- 
ployed to pilot them by a back road, to prevent the 
movement being discovered by the enemy. The night 
was exceedingly dark, and the pilot having intentionally 
or unintentionally lost the way, and not having any 
desire to become a stockholder in the colonel's lead 
mine, thought it prudent to decamp ; so the colonel, 
after hunting around for him for some time, with pistol 
in hand, turned into a narrow road which proved to be 
a private lane. As the baggage wagons were passing 
through the barn yard one of them upset, which was fol- 
lowed by considerable noise, occasioned by the braying 
of mules, and the shouting and cursing of the teamsters. 
The colonel went to the house to procure a lantern, but 
all his pounding, shouting and throwing stones at the 
windows, produced no effect. At last he heard meek, 
tremulous voices issuing from the cellar, and discovered 
the old folks and children in their night clothes, down 
there praying for deliverance from the battle they sup- 
posed was raging around their house. 

On the 14th, orders were received to reduce our bag- 
gage as much as possible, and to pack up and send to 
Harrisburg the extra articles left by the deserters. 
About one A. M., while in the midst of the work, the 
drums beat the "long roll," and the men dropping every 
thing, were soon in liue with their muskets and cartridge 
boxes. When Dr. Keed went to the Hospital to get his 



52 • OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

instruments, lie found his patients hurrying on their 
clothes, against which he remonstrated without avail, 
and before he could get a guard to enforce his orders, 
the sick were in the ranks and could not be got out. 
Leaving the camp "topsy turvy," in charge of the cooks* 
and teamsters, we started off, and hurrying across the 
canal at Knoxville, proceeded down the towpath to 
Berlin, about four miles below, where a party of rebs 
had been firing upon the pickets of the Nineteenth New 
York, but with no other effect than the knocking over 
of some camp kettles and the scattering of their contents. 
Here we stacked arms and stretched ourselves upon the 
grass watching an old rascal on horseback waving a 
white flag, and who doubtlessly was calculating our 
strength. 

On the 8th of June, the rebels burnt the long and sub- 
stantial bridge that spanned the river at- this point, and 
the only wagon communication between the two shores, 
are the fords above and below the piers. About two 
weeks back, the rebels brought an old iron twelve- 
pounder cannon that had its muzzle knocked off, and 
was fastened with chains to the front wheels of an old 
wagon, which they posted on the opposite hills to com- 
mand the village. They thought it prudent to withdraw 
the same night, and hiding their cannon, they left, in- 
tending to return the next night and get it. The Ber- 
linites, however, found it out, and slipping over brought 
it away, and at night it was stationed on the pier of 
the bridge, behind a bulwark of hay bales. Being minus 
of grape shot, they cut the iron braces of the bridge into 
slugs, which were about as good as anything else to fire 
out of it. After remaining here until it was ascertained 
that the rebels had decamped, we about face, and retraced 
our steps to camp, but all the spirit of the boys was 
gone, and our march v/as a quiet one. We arrived 
about dark, and had a late, but welcome sapper. 

At this time the Army of the Shenandoah picketed 
the Potomac for the distance of iiitj^ miles, from Wil- 



THE MOVE TOWARDS WASHINOTOy. 53 

liamsport about twenty miles above the Ferry, until the 
line joined that of the Army of the Potomac, some thirty 
miles below. The enemy picketed on the south bank for 
an equal distance, we having abandoned Virginia, except 
in the immediate neighborhood of Harper's Ferry. 

The greater portion of the rebel army under General 
Johnson, having joined Beauregard at Manassas, and 
left the valley of the Shenandoah and the upper Potomac 
comparatively bare of troops, which relieved all anxiety 
for the safety of Maryland and Pennsylvania, it was de- 
termined to make a corresponding movement of our 
forces towards Washington, which was not yet consi- 
dered safe. Therefore, orders were issued on the night 
of the 16th, to be prepared to march early the next 
morning with three days cooked rations in haversacks. 
Fortunately the paymaster, Major Maxwell, arrived that 
day and paid the regiment off for the twenty-one days 
owed by the State of Pennsylvania, we having been 
transferred to the United States service on the 21st of 
July. This money was very acceptable to the empty 
pockets of the men, and was duly appreciated by the 
citizens of Maryland on our march through their State. 



CHAPTER VI. 



March through Maryland. Mutiny in the Nineteenth New 
York Militia. Guards after whisky. Disbanding of com- 
panies. 

One of the most exciting scenes in a soldier's life is 
the breaking up of camp when they have been lying 
inactive for some time, and particularly so when it is for 
the first time in active field service. Although the order 
to move was not issued until 10 o'clock at night, and rain 
was falling at the time, the camp fires were soon brightly 



^"^ OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



burning and the men busily engaged in preparino- their 
rations for the march. Early the next morning,'before 
^^ reveille," the men were all up and stirring, and soon 
cooked their breakfasts and had everj^thing ready to move. 
And what a scene of animation it wjis ! The strikino- of 
tents the packing of baggage, the loading of wagons 
the falling m of the men, their cheers and songs, inter- 
mingled with the strains of martial music, the shouts and 
curses of the drivers, the braying of mules, the galloping 
to and fro of orderlies and aids, the rattling drums and 
hoarse commands— oh, how animated and exciting. 
"Frank, help me on with my knapsack," "Ben, fix my 
cartridge box," " Charley, hold my musket while I go 
for water," "Take my canteen along," shouts a dozen 
voices, " Who'se got a piece of string," "Give me a cork 
tor my canteen," " Who wants a good blouse," and a 
thousand other similar expressions are heard throuo-h 
tne camps. "Fall in, fall in," is heard, and the nofse 
ceases as the men take their places. 

A cold drizzly rain was falling, as the wagons moved 
from the encampment, and stretched in a lono- line in a 
neighboring field, followed by the regiment, clad in 
heavy blue overcoats. Colonel Thomas, with hU staff 
and the Second U. S. Cavalry dashed past, followed by 
a battery of the Fourth U. S. Artillery, and one of the 
Ninth New York. The Twenty-ninth Penna. Vols., Col- 
onel Murphy, passed next, then came the Second Eeserve 
Colonel Mann, followed by the First Eeserve Eifles— the 
'^Bucktails," Colonel Biddle. Next came the Fifth Con- 
necticut, Colonel Ferry, and the Nineteenth New York 
Volunteers, and a long line of other troops, but the smoke 
trom the burning rubbish of the camp hung heavily upon 
the earth, partially obscuring the masses of men, pre- 
senting a scene at once grand and interesting. "' For- 
ward," passed down the line, and to the soul-stirrino- 
music of our bands, we took up oar march, striking the 
banks of the Potomac, which we followed for a short 
distance, when turning to the left, in a northeasterly 



MARCH THROUGH MAliYLAXD. 65 

direction; we halted at intervals to rest the men and let 
the wagons come up. We passed throagh Petersville, a 
small village where a secession flag had lateiy been 
flying; but the old flag of our hearts now floated in its 
stead. In the afternoon we passed through Jefferson, as 
pretty a village as Maryland can boast of. Our bands 
struck up lively marches, and smiling faces from Union 
hearts, and waving handkerchiefs greeted us, as we 
passed along. We turned to the right toward the Point 
of KockS; then to the left towards Frederick, moving 
over a narrow road through the woods, to the left of 
which was presented a magnificent scene of rolling hills 
and wooded valleys, broken in the far distance hy the 
lofty peaks of the Blue Eidge. At dusk we halted to 
select a bivouacking ground, and then moving off entered 
a thick woods, where our blazing camp fires were soon 
surrounded by the wearied soldiers. The flakes rose 
high in the air; the flames casting their lurid light 
through the arching branches of the majestic trees; and 
wrapped in our blankets, with our feet to the fire, we 
slept peacefully until " reveille." Our march that day 
was fifteen miles. 

The next day we started early, it being cloudy, drizzly 
and oppressively close, and by noon crossed a branch of 
the Monocacy, and encamped on its banks in a wheat 
stubble, having made but six miles. Here we were met 
by Dr. Hoyt, our quartermaster, who had gone ahead 
to procure provisions and wood for us. 

The next morniDg, the 19th, we moved at eight o'clock, 
through a drizzling rain and deep mud, passing through 
Buckej^stown whose inhabitants are of strong secession 
proclivity. Not a flag was seen or a handkerchief waved 
to welcome us. The darkies and children were highly 
delighted with the music and novel sight, the men stayed 
in the houses and peeped through cracks, but the 
women's curiosity overcoming them, stood at the doors 
and windows looking pictures of woful sorrow. About 
a mile from here we crossed the Monocacy and encamped 



56 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

on its banks, Laving marcTied eight miles. Here we 
found concentrated a large number of other troops. As' 
we did not move the next day, the men had a good time 
bathing, several thousands of them enjojdng it at once, 
resembling as they sat on the innumerable rocks in the 
river, flocks of penguins. That night we sent off' all our 
sick to the general hospital at Frederick. 

The next morning we struck tents and got into motion 
early, passing through Urbana, and encamping about 
noon near Hyattstown, we having marched six miles. 
There the next day, August 22d, a mutiny broke out in 
the Nineteenth New York State Militia. This regiment 
had been sworn into the State service for two years, and 
transferred to the United States under the President's 
second call. The term of three months having expired, 
the men claimed that they were released from further 
service, and that the Government had ho right to con- 
tinue them in the service for the balance of the two 
years. In fact, they tried the same game on, that had 
been so successfully played by the mutineers of our reg- 
iment, but they had the wrong man to deal with. The 
regiment was formed, the wings doubled up, faced in- 
wards and arms stacked. The wings were then marched 
to the rear, leaving about sixty paces between them, a 
portion of the articles of war and the governor's ordera 
read to them, and those who were willing to obey, ordered 
to step to the front. But one hundred and eighty did so. 
These were placed on guard over the rest, and the " Buck- 
tails'' sent for. In the mean time a battery of artillery 
was unlimbered and placed in position about three hun- 
dred yards from them and soon after the " Bucktails" 
came down on double quick and were formed into two 
lines. The mutineers remained silent, quietly watching 
the proceedings, when Colonel Biddle rode up, and giv- 
ing the necessary orders marched them into the space 
between his lines, and escorted them to an open field, 
where they enjoyed the luxury of a broiling sun for the 
remainder of the day, and a drenching rain all niglit. 



GUARDS AFTER WUISKY. 57 

whicli cooled them off and refreshed them wonderfully. 
'The next morning the patriots were so transmogrified, 
that all but a few returned to duty, and the balance were 
shipped to the Tortugas. This regiment afterwards 
proved itself one of the bravest and most gallant in the 
service, and this little freak of theirs proves that upon 
such occasions it only requires firmness and judgment to 
keep men in the right path and prevent them from dis- 
gracing themselves. 

"We remained in camp until noon of that day, when 
we marched to the southward about one mile, and en- 
camped on the skirt of a fine piece of wood, where the 
ground was high and dry. Here considerable labor was 
spent in fixing up our camp, digging sinks and cutting 
a broad path through the wood for the camp guard to 
move on. In obedience to orders the baggage was very 
much reduced, ofiicers being limited to eighty pounds, 
and the men to what they could carry on their backs. 
Two axes, one hatchet, five mess-pans, two camp kettles, 
were allowed to twenty men, and one tent to six. This, 
at that time was exceedingly limited, but we afterwards 
learned to look upon it as sufficient for a whole company. 
On the 2-ith, Company E, Captain J. Orr Finnie, was 
ordered to escort a train of one hundred wagons to 
Washington, which they did successfully, and rejoined 
•us on the march back. 

Considerable liquor having been introduced into 

camp. Colonel Mann ordered Captain with his 

company and part of K, to seize and destroy all he could 
find in the neighborhood. Sixteen barrels belonging to 
a storekeeper at Charlesburg were destroyed, for which 
the Government paid. But the hardest job was to find 
the liquor belonging to a man who had followed the 
regiment from Easton, Pennsylvania. He generally kept 
his liquor a mile or two off^ and went to the huts and 
farm houses near the camp, and represented himself as 
a sutler waiting for his team. By the time he sold out 
his jug of whiskey, the guards would discover his where- 



58 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

abouts, and when they arrived he was gone to refill, and 
the next day would commence operations at some other 
cabin. At the railroad station near Buckeystown, he 
played an exceedingly sharp trick on all concerned. A 
tavern keeper there was doing a lively business at five 

cents per glass. had but one keg, and wanted to 

make the most out of it possible, so he got some of the 
men drunk and succeeded in raising a fight, when he 
immediately reported it to one of the colonels, who shut 
the tavern up. Then opened his keg in a bye- 
place, and sold out at ten cents per glass. But his time 
soon after came, they caught him, destroyed his liquor, 
and he was banished from our regiment forever after- 
wards. He was a fair sample of camp followers. 

On the 27th, the First Brigade, Colonel George H. 
Thomas, consisting of the Second United States Cavalry, 
one battery Fourth United States Artillery, one battery 
Ninth New York, the First Eifles, P. E. Y. C, "Buck- 
tails," Colonel Biddle ; the Second Infantry, P. E. Y. C, 
Colonel Mann; the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Yolun- 
teers. Colonel Murphy; the Nineteenth New York State 
Militia, Colonel , and the Fifth Connecticut, Colo- 
nel Ferry, were reviewed by Major-General Nathaniel P. 
Banks. The day unfortunately was drizzling, which in 
a measure spoiled the efiect. However, as the cavalry, 
artillery and infantry wheeled into column, and passed 
in review, they presented a fine appearance. The bands 
of each regiment wheeled to the left out of the column 
in front of the general, and continued playing until the 
regiment passed, when it followed in the rear. The 
colonels took their position by the side of the general 
until their command passed, the officers and colors 
saluting, and the men coming to a carry. The next 
afternoon, the Second Brigade was reviewed by the 
general, but it rained then also. 

"While lying here, an order was issued by General 
Banks, disbanding Companies B, F, G and I, on the 
ground of being " below the legal standard of accept- 



DISBANDING OF COMPANIES. 59 

anc6," tlie men being transferred to the other companies 
of the regiment, and the officers honorably discharged. 
There were some points in this order worthy of observa- 
tion. The companies could not be "accepted," although 
they had been regularly mustered into the United States 
service nearly a month before, and the of&cers had been 
in the exercise and discharge of their duties during that 
time, and were recognized as such, they subsequently 
drawing their pay. Again, the officers were "honor- 
ably discharged" from the United States service, which 
the order stated they could not be "accepted" into. But 
the most important point in regard to the order is, that 
it was illegal, there being no authority to discharge an 
officer from the army, except by order of the President 
of the United States. This is distinctly stated in the 
Army Eegulations of 1861, and was subsequently ad- 
mitted to the author, by the Honorable Simon Cameron, 
Secretary of War. General Banks, however, had but 
lately entered upon his military life, and doubtless was 
ignorant of the laws upon the subject, or else it is hardly 
to be supposed he would have assumed a power not 
vested in him, and that too, when he had received orders 
to send all the Pennsylvania Reserves to General McCall. 
General McCall entertained the same opinion of the ille- 
gality of the order, and protested against it, but Fitz 
John Porter was indirectly connected with the arrange- 
ment, and he, with General Banks, were favorites of Mr. 
Cameron, and their friends were pushing them for posi- 
tions, so the Secretary would not revoke an order he 
acknowledged to be illegal. 

This was a gross act of injustice, as the officers were 
no more responsible for the loss of the men, than if they 
had been killed in battle, but the colonel finding his 
ranks greatly reduced, was unwilling to await the slow 
process of recruiting, and supposing the governor would 
immediately order four full companies to fill up the regi- 
ment, he sanctioned the act. But His Excellency could 
not be induced to assign companies in their place, and 



60 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

SO far from acknowledging the legality of the act, he 
soon after issued commissions to the officers. The offi- 
cers discharged were Captains P. McDonough, T. Bring- 
hurst, B. M. Woodward and William Knox. First Lieu- 
tenants John D. Schock, George W. Kite, John K. 
Brown and Thomas Weir. Second Lieutenants John 
Gill, William Edwards and John H. Jack. One lieu- 
tenant of the companies was not discharged, another dis- 
charged who had resigned a month before, and had not 
been mustered into the United States service, and another 
transferred to a company in which there was no vacancy. 
Captain McDonough raised another company, joined the 
regiment at Camp Pierpont, and was subsequently pro- 
moted lieutenant-colonel. Captain Woodward entered 
the ranks along with his men who remained true, was 
appointed sergeant-major of the regiment and at the 
battle of Antietam, promoted adjutant. Captain Knox 
was appointed sutler, and continued with the regiment 
until May, 1862. Of the lieutenants, John H. Jack 
returned with Captain McDonough, was wounded at the 
battle of Bull Eun, and promoted captain for gallant 
conduct. John K. Brown for a year was connected with 
the brigade commissary. Wm. Edwards entered the 
Curtin Light Guard as orderly sergeant, and George W. 
Kite the Ninety-first Eegiment Pennsylvania Yolunteers. 
About this time First Lieutenant Isaac J. Harvey, Com- 
pany K, was detailed to the Signal Corps. 

On the 28th, orders were received to draw provisions 
and prepare to march, and during the evening there was 
a busy time cooking aud packing up. At three o'clock 
the next morning the reveille sounded, and soon the 
camp was all astir, and at seven we took up our line of 
march, the rain descending in torrents, drenching us to 
the skin. But onward the men pressed through the 
mud, and about four o'clock in the ai'ternoon, after a tire- 
some march of only eight miles, went into camp about 
two miles from Darnestown. The next day Colonel 
Thomas was detached from the command of our brigade, 



TENALLYTOWN". - 61 

wliich devolved upon Colonel Charles J. Biddle, of the 
'•' Bucktails." The regiment remained here until the 19tli 
of September, when at eleven o'clock at night the " long 
roll " awakened the sleepers. Getting under arms and 
into line, we moved off in a southeasterly direction, and 
after a march of eight miles arrived at Muddy Branch, 
a tributary of the Potomac, where we were sent to guard 
a supply train. Here we remained until the 25th, when 
we again moved, marching fifteen miles, to Tenallytown, 
where we joined the Division of Pennsylvania Reserves, 
under Brigadier-General George A. McCall. 



-* • •■» ►- 



CHAPTER VII. 

Tenallytown. Visit from the President and General 
McClellan. Presentation of Flags. A Hail-storm. The 
Regiments Brigaded. 

Tenallytown is situated at the junction of the Rock- 
ville and Poolesville roads with the Georgetown road, 
three miles from the latter town, and one mile and a 
half from the Chain Bridgre. Here was erected Fort 
Pennsylvania, a most important and formidable earth- 
work, with a broad and deep ditch, heavy abatis, and 
guns mounted barbette. It was built by the Reserves, 
details being made from all the regiments for that pur- 
pose. 

Prior to our arrival several interesting ceremonies 
took place, among which was a grand review of the Di- 
vision by His Excellency Mr. Lincoln, attended by his 
Cabinet, and Major-General George B. McClellan, com- 
manding the Army of the Potomac. The next day the 
following order was issued and read at the head of the 
regiments of the Reserves on dress-parade : 



62 



OUR CAMPAIGN'S. 



Headquarteks Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps 
Ga.mp Tenally^ Augmt 21st, 18Q1. ' 

Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserve ! This day must be 
recognized as a propitious inauguration of your future 
military history. You have this day passed under the 
scrutinizing inspection of the Commanding General of 
the Army of the Potomac, in whose ability to success- 
luily prosecute this war, the confidence of' the country 
IS reposed. You have passed in review before the Presi- 
dent of the United States and his Cabinet ; and both the 
(reneral and the President have expressed to me their 
unqualified approval of your soldierlike appearance on 
review, and of the discipline thus manifestly shown to 
exist m the corps. 

It now rests with you, officers of the Pennsylvania 
Keserve, to carry out to perfection the work so well 
begun. Upon you devolves the care of your men; let 
that be unremitting; let every attention to their wants 
temper the rigid discipline necessary to the formation of 
the soldier, and with one heart we will uphold the fla^ 
ot our State and place her name among the foremost in 
the cause of our common country. 

GEO. A. McCALL, 

Brigadier-General Commanding. 

On the 10th of September, the presentation of the 
fla^gs, the gift of the Society of the Cincinnati, of Penn- 
sylvania, to the Pteserves took place. But nine regiments 
were present, which were drawn up in a large field'^adioin- 
mg the River Road. The color companies of each reo-iment 
were marched to the front with their colonel on their 
right Soon the swelling notes of a fine band were 
heard far away in the distance, and as the music ap- 
proached the guns of Fort Pennsylania and Campbell's 
batteries of the First Reserve Artillery thundered forth 
their salutes, which echoed from hill to hill, and rever 
berated through the valleys until it seemed like the roar 
ot battle. Ere the sound had died away, the First Re- 
serve, Colonel Simmons, and a procession of carriages 



PRESENTATION OF FLAGS. 63 

appeared in view, containing His Excellency the Presi- 
dent of the United States, accompanied by his Cabinet, 
Governor Curtin and Greneral McClellan, with a host of 
government and Pennsylvania officials, reporters, &c. 
The flags were produced, and Governor Curtin com- 
menced the presentation, and as each colonel received 
his regimental flag, he briefly returned thanks for the 
gift. The presentation being over, the Governor ad- 
dressed the troops. When he told them that they were his 
fellow-citizens and Pennsylvanians, and that the honor 
and faith of Pennsylvania, to the last, drop of her blood, 
and the last dollar of her resources, were pledged to the 
support of the Government, and the maintenance of our 
beloved institutions, he mounted the back seat of the 
carriage, and declaring that he was in full view of thou- 
sands of her citizens assembled to carry that determina- 
tion into effect, the enthusiasm was unbounded, and 
cheer after cheer went up from thousands of manly 
throats. 

General McCall briefly replied to the Governor, thank- 
ing him for the gifts, and giving the assurance that the 
colors would never be dishonored. 

The presentation over, the regiments wheeled into 
columns of companies and passed in review before the 
Governor. After this the company attending the Presi- 
dent and Governor partook of a collation, in pic-nio 
style, in the grove fronting General McCall's headquar- 
ters. There were several ladies in the party — Mrs. 
Governor Curtin, Mrs. General Maxwell, and others, 
whose presence added greatly to the pleasure of the 
occasion. The greatest sociability prevailed, and all 
present enjoyed themselves. President Lincoln was in 
his happiest mood, and was the life of the company. 
Wit and sentiment ruled the hour, without stift* for- 
mality. Through with the repast, they stepped into 
their carriages, and passing over the Chain Bridge into 
Virginia, returned to Washington, via the Long Bridge. 

While we laid here heavy details were made daily 



64 OUR CAMPATCrN\S. 

for picket, cattle-guard, or working parties on the fort, 
besides which Colonel Mann was indefatigable in his 
efforts to discipline the regiment by constant battalion 
and company drills. Several demonstrations of the 
enemy's pickets created alarms in camp, and caused us 
to get under arms, all of which were pleasant little 
excitements for the men. On the 7th of October, we 
were visited by a violent hail-storm accompanied with 
a high wind. Some of the stones were of the size of 
bullets, cutting through the tents, and almost driving 
the horses wild. The storm lasted about a half hour, 
leaving the atmosphere quite cool. The next day the 
fall election taking place in our State, the Eeserves 
exercised their right of casting their vote, each com- 
pany voting at its captain's quarters. About this time 
Lieutenant-Colonel Magilton resigned. 

While we laid here the organization of the regiments 
into brigades took place. 

The First Brigade, Brigadier-General John F. Rey- 
nolds, was comprised of the First Eifles, "Bucktails,' 
Colonel Charles J. Biddle ; the First Infantry, Colonel 
R. Biddle Roberts ; the Second Infantry, Colonel Wil- 
liam B. Mann; the Fifth Infantry, Colonel Seneca G. 
Simmons ; and the Eighth Infantry, Colonel Geor 
Hays. 

The Second Brigade, Brigadier-General George Gor- 
don Meade, was composed of the Third Infantry, Colonel 
Horatio ^. Sickel ; the Fourth Infantry, Colonel A. L. 
Magilton; the Eleventh Infantry, Colonel T. F. Gal- 
lagher ; and the Seventh Infantry, Colonel E. B. Harvey. 

The Third Brigade, Colonel J. S. McCalmont, was 
composed of the Sixth Infantry, Colonel W. W. Ricketts ; 
the Ninth Infantry, Colonel Conrad F. Jackson ; the Tenth 
Infantry, Colonel J. S. McCalmont ; and the Twelfth In- 
fantry, Colonel John H. Taggart. 

The First Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard, 
and the First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Camp- 
bell, although attached to the division were not brigaded. 



crossi^:g the chain bfjdge. 65 



CHAPTER VIIL 

Ceossing the Chain Bridge. Camp Piekpont. The "long 
TOLL." Beaueegaed eeconnoitring. Maech to Deaines- 
yille. An indisceeet hen. Retuen to Pierpont. Ball's 
Bluff. Review. Besignation op Colonel Ma^sn. Gkakd 
Eeview. 

Eap.ly Oil the morning of the 9th, General Smith ad- 
vanced his division from the neighborhood of the Chain 
Bridge to Langley, where deploying his skirmishers; ho 
pushed forward a brigade on the Drainesville pike, and 
took possession of Prospect Ilill. AYith his main bod_y, 
he diverged from the pike at Langley to the left, ad- 
vancing towards Lewinsville, which village he entered 
and occupied Avithont opposition, leaving the main por- 
tion of his troops at Sraoot's Hill, and pushing on a de- 
tachment to occupy Miners Hill. 

To occupy this extension of the lines, the same day 
orders were issued to the Pennsjdvania Reserves to march, 
and in a short time their tents were struck, wagons loaded 
and men in line. At seven o'clock in the evening our 
regiment took up its line of march, passing eastward 
through Tenallytown, and turning to the right, wound 
down a long, narrow, rough road to the Potomac, along 
which it moved to the Chain BridgC; and set foot for the 
first time upon the " sacred soil of Virginia." As the 
regiments crossed, their bands struck up " Dixie's Land," 
and their vociferous cheers burst forth, echoing from 
shore to shore of the rock-bound river. Moving on past 
Fort Marcy they bivouacked for the night about half a 
mile beyond Langley, Fairfax county. 

The next afternoon the wagons arrived, the tents were 
pitched, and Camp Pierpont established, named in honor 
of Frank H. Pierpont; the loyal Governor of Western 
Virginia. The position assigned to the Reserves was 

5 



QQ OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac, their 
picket line extending from the river past Prospect Ilill 
over towards Lewinsville. The camp of the Second was 
to the right of the Chain Bridge and Drainesville pike, 
on a low and badly drained piece of ground, at the base 
«of a wooded hill, near the Langley School-House, which 
was occupied as the head-quarters of the First Brigade. 

During the first ten days, the " long roll" was beaten, 
and the men got under arms five times. On the night 
of the 11th, the pickets in the neighborhood of Lewins- 
ville were driven in, and the next day the enemy consist- 
ing of at least three regiments of infantry, some cavalry 
and a battery of six guns, were discovered near Miner's 
Hill, concealed in the woods, which led to the supposi- 
tion that an attack was meditated the next morning;. At 
noon the drums beat, and the men got into fighting 
order. General ^IcClellan and staff* including the Comte 
de Paris and the Due de Chartres, rode over and re- 
mainded during the night at Smoot's house, and at mid- 
night the drums again beat and every preparation was 
made for an attack. 

It was a clear and beautiful night, the moon shone 
forth in its mild beauty ; the stars twinkled with resplend- 
ent glory, and not a cloud glided through the sky. The 
drums beat 'Hbe long roll," the trumpets of the cavalry 
and artillery sounded their- shrill blasts, and the bands 
of the infantry pealed forth their most -soul-inspiring 
strains. The camp-fires burned brightly, the glittering 
bayonets and sabres flashed in the light, and every heart 
beat high with hope. At two A. M., various columns 
of troops, on the Maryland side of the Potomac, were 
put in motion, and moved across the river to a position 
from which they could be easily thrown to any point of 
the line th-e emergency might require. Among them 
W'Cre some four thousand cavalry and fifty pieces of artil- 
lery. But alas, after remaining in position until day- 
light, chilled with the falling dews, the boys were doomed 
to disappointment. Beauregard had only been on a 



A FRIGHTENED OliDERLY. 67 

reconnoisance in force, to ascertain our position since 
the recent extension of our front. 

About this time Orderly Sergeant Kichard Clen dining, 
Company H, was elected Second Lieutenant, vice Eobert 
II. Porter, resigned, July 21st. Also, Sergeant James R. 
Nightingale, Company C, Second Lieutenant, vice Frank 
Fox, resigned. 

About eleven o'clock on the night of the 18th, orders 
were issued for the Eeserves to prepare to move early 
the next morning, with three days cooked rations in 
haversacks, and accordingly there was a busy time that 
night around the camp-fires. Early in the morning, the 
regiments were in Lne, and at seven o'clock they moved 
off up the pike towards Drainesville. The First Brigade, 
General Reynolds took the lead with a squadron of the 
Reserve cavalry, Colonel Bayard in the van, followed by 
two batteries of the Reserve artillery, Colonel Campbell, 
the '' Bucktails" and infantry with the ambulances, or 
^' avalanches," as the boys called them, bringing up the 
rear. Crossing Difficult creek, Ave continued on through 
Drainesville, and halted to bivouac three miles beyond. 
Soon after General McClellan rode up and ordered us 
to fall back about four miles to Thornton's house, at the 
forks of the Chain Bridge and Leesburg and Alexandria 
pikes. The artillery was posted to sweep the roads, 
i>ickets thrown out, and the men put in a heavy woods, 
where they slept peacefully. 

When we first commenced our retrograde movement 
many surmises that soon assumed the shape of rumors 
were set afloat, and as we at that time were incapable of 
judging of military movements, they received much 
credence. An orderly came dashing down the road in 
search of General Reynolds and almost breathlessly in- 
formed him, there were '' forty thousand rebels coming 
down upon us." "Forty thousand old fools," replied 
the General, "go back to where you came from." 

The Second Brigade lay that night about three miles 
in our rear, and the Third about three miles in their rear 



68 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

at Difficult creek, to preserve our communication and 
prevent our rear being turned. General Smith's division 
was also moved out the Alexandria and Leesburg turn- 
pike, to cover that road and those leading from Centre- 
ville to Drainesville. 

The next morning by daylight the boj^s were up and 
hard at work cuttins; down the chestnut trees in the 
woods to get the nuts, and the squealing of pigs was 
heard in various directions. An old hen that had been 
roosting on a tree commenced cackling, which attracted 
the attention of a soldier who was passing by. " Madam," 
said the boy, "you had better have kept your mouth 
shut," as he knocked her off with a stone. These pro- 
ceedings were however put a stop to, and the boys 
restricted to the limits of the camp. 

On our march up we found a number of houses aban- 
doned by their occupants, who had fled on our approach 
under the impression we were Mamelukes and Bedouins 
coming to murder and destroy all we found. At some 
places we found the furniture carried out on the lawu 
ready for moving. We also found houses that had been 
abandoned for some time, their inhabitants having been 
driven away by their neighbors on account of their 
Union sentiments. 

During the day detachments were sent out to recon- 
noitre the neighboring roads and country and make a 
plane-table survey of a great portion of it, and along the 
Loudon and Hampshire railroad in several places they 
encountered the enemy's scouts, killing two and wound- 
ing four of them. The next morning, the 21st, General 
McCall having accomplished the object of his advance, 
in obedience to orders received that morning from Gen- 
eral McClellan, returned to camp. 

Much comment was made at the time through the 
public press in regard to this movement, as the battle of 
''Balls Bluff'" took place upon the day of our return, 
and we were in a position to have been pushed forward 



CHANGE OF CAMP. 69 

in the enemy's rear, and probably reversed tlie fortune 
of the day. 

In the official report of General McClellan, he states 
that General Banks sent a despatch to him on the 20th, 
that the signal station at Sugar Loaf telegraphed that 
the enemy had moved away from Leesburg, upon which 
he telegraphed to General Stone that McCall occupied 
Drainesville, and desired him to keep a good look-out 
upon Leesburg, and to make a slight demonstration, to 
see if the movement had the effect of driving them away. 
This despatch was received by General Stone at eleven 
o'clock A. M., and he immediately despatched Captain 
Philbrick, Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers with 
twenty men on a reconnoissance towards Leesburg, who 
returned that night and reported having advanced within 
a mile of the town without finding any enemy. He had 
then accomplished all that had been expected of him. 
It is probable that that night he conceived the idea of 
capturing the town by a brilliant cou20, and the next day 
commenced the crossing of infantry, horses and artillery 
over the broad and rapid river in three scows. The dis- 
astrous results of this rash undertaking are well knowD. 
General Stone acknowledged before the " Committee on 
the conduct of the war," that the movement on the 21st 
originated with himself, and was not ordered by General 
McClellan. 

Upon the return of the Eeserves to camp. General 
McCall was ordered to rest his men, and to hold them in 
readiness to return to Drainesville at a moment's notice. 

The camp of our regiment was moved about a half 
mile to the north-east, on a fine high and sloping piece 
of ground, terminating abruptly towards the pike in a 
steep hill. At the base of this were the quartermaster's 
and sutler's tents and the guard house. On the crest 
was located the field and staff, and on the slope the com- 
pany tents, with a fine parade ground beyond. 

About this time First Lieutenant E. II. Loudon, Com- 
pany A, resigned, and Second Lieutenant Horace Neide 



70 OUR CAMPAIGN-S. 

was elected to fill tlie vacancy. Orderly Sergeant John 
J. Ross was cliosen second lieutenant of the same com- 
pany, and Mr. Neide was appointed adjutant of the 
regiment. Quartermaster-sergeant Wesley S. Mann 
having some time before been honorably discharged the 
service, John L. Benzon was appointed in his place^ and 
William A. Iloyt made commissary- sergeant. 

On the 22d, an election was held for lieutenant colonel, 
which resulted in the unanimous choice of Major Wil- 
liam McCandless. 

On the 28th, General McCall reviewed the Reserve, 
consisting of the thirteen regiments of General Reynolds 
and Meade, and Colonel McCalmont's brigades, the First 
Reserve Cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard, and the 
First Reserve Artillery, Colonel Charles F. Campbell, in 
front of Johnson's Hill. The field contained but about 
forty acres, the regiments were formed in divisions closed 
in mass, which wheeled into column in mass, and moved 
forward to where General McCall and staff were stationed 
but before reaching him, the divisions broke into com- 
panies at wheeling distance, and passed in review. When 
the line began thus to uncoil itself, it reached a great 
distance, and presented a splendid spectacle. 

When Colonel Mann raised the regiment, his intention 
was to remain in the service until Washington was safe, 
and on the first of November, feeling the object for which 
he came out was accomplished, he resigned and returned 
to his profession. While in command of the regiment, 
he was assiduous in his attention to the welfare of the 
men, frequently examining their rations, visiting their 
quarters and the hospital, and tempering the rigid dis- 
cipline necessary to the formation of a soldier with a 
fatherly care. With his ability, if he had remained in 
the service, and had not had his '' light put out," the 
eagles upon his shoulders would have undoubtedly 
soared until they reached the stars. 

While at Tennallytown, the men were kept half of the 
time in digging earthworks and building forts, and but 



GRAND REVIEW. 71 

little time was left to devote to battalion drill. But here 
it was different, besides the difficulty of getting to Wash- 
ington was so great, that few cared about taking the 
trouble to procure a pass. The result was, that a great 
portion of the time was spent in drilling, and the regi- 
ments being all encamped within sight of each other, 
quite a rivalry sprang up between them, as to which 
would become the most perfect. The effect was a marked 
improvement in the discipline of the men. 

On the 7th the regiment was paid off by Major Smith. 
About the same time we exchanged the smooth-bore for 
the Harper's Ferry rifled muskets. 

On the 20th, a grand review of a portion of the Army 
of the Potomac, took place near Munson's Hill, in a 
valley, or rather plain, two miles long by one broad, 
stretching to the east towards Bailey's Cross Eoads. 
The troops, numbering seventy-five thousand, rank and 
file, were drawn up in a line, forming three sides of a 
square. Upon the right were cavalry and artillery, and 
on the left was the Pennsylvania Eeserves. Around this 
immense plain, thousands of people and vehicles were 
gathered. Munson's Hill was black with them, and the 
trees and houses were covered with men and boys. Con- 
siderable time was occupied in getting the troops into 
their proper positions, and the centre of the field pre- 
sented an animated scene, hundreds of aids and order- 
lies galloping in all directions, carrying orders for the 
different divisions and brigades. 

At twelve o'clock, noon, a cortege consisting of Presi- 
dent Lincoln and lady, in an open barouche, followed by 
Secretaries Seward and Cameron, a. host of distinguished 
civiliaiis and Foreign Ministers arrived, and took post 
near the flag-staff*, in the centre and front of the square. 
Soon after General McClellan arrived, escorted by the 
Second and Fifth United States Cavalry, and his Body 
Guard, and took post to the left of the President, sur- 
rounded by his Gei^. irals and Staff. A salvo of artillery 
annouuced his arrival. The President and Secretaries 



OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



mouTDted horses and rode over to the General, and they 
soarted on the review. Commencing on the left, they 
passed down by the Reserves, and as the party, consist- 
ing of some three hundred officers, generals and their 
staffs, rode up, the troops commenced cheering and the 
bands plajmg. As they galloped down the Ihie at the 
rate of tiiteen miles an hour, the terrific roar was kept up 
the whole way through, making the scene intensely thril- 
ling. Alter passing around, a position was taken, and 
orders given for the column to pass in review. First 
came the Reserves, General McCall, which after passing, 
filed to tlie right and marched at once to their camp 
some ten miles off. Then followed General Heintzleman's 
Division, which passed to the left, and marched some 
fiiteen miles to their post. The divisions of Generals 
bmith, Franklin, Blenker, Porter and McDowell, brought 
up the rear, and each was dismissed and marched di- 
rectly to Its camp. There were seventy regiments of 
mtaniry, seventeen batteries, and seven regiments of 
cavalry and the time occupied in passing was three 
hours. 1 hey marched in column of division, and if thev 
had been m the usual order, it would have taken twice 
•as ong. It was by far the finest review ever witnessed 
on this continent. 

About this time the men commenced preparing winter 
quarters Ihese consisted of walls of from fou? to six 
logs high, with wedge tents -placed over them. Floors 
ot boards or logs were put down, shelves put up, and 
small sheet-iron stoves put in. From four to six gene- 
rally bunked together, according to their likino- 



SKIEMISH InEAR DRAINESVILLE. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Skirmish near Drainestille. Foraging expedition. Battle 
OF Drainesville. Visit of Governor Curtin. The Boys in 
Winter. Camp life. Firing for medals. Picketing. "Old 
Uncle Ben." " Taking Frekch." Naughty " sell." 

Early in the evening of the 26th, Colonel Bayard 
with Q.ve hundred and fifty men of the Reserve Cavalrv, 
started on a scout up the pike. They halted at Difficult 
Creek, and before daylight, proceeded to Drainesville, 
and captured four pickets, Charles Coleman, Philip Car- 
per, Dr. Day and son, and three other citizens. On the 
return a short distance from Drainesville, a volley was 
fired from the woods, mortally wounding Assistant-sur- 
geon Alexander, and slightly two men. Colonel Bayard 
and Surgeon Stanton had their horses killed under 
them. 

A portion of the cavalry were immediately dismounted, 
and entering the woods, killed three . and captured six, 
including Captain Farley, of General Bonham's staff, and 
Lieutenant Carderees, of South Carolina. Thomas, the 
brother of Charles Coleman, was shot in the* eye and 
breast, and died a few days, afterwards. On the return 
home of the expedition, they were met by Generals 
McCall and Reynolds, with the First Brigade of the Re- 
serves, and three batteries of artillery coming to their 
aid. These Colemans were accused of shooting wounded 
soldiers, and of cutting the head ofi* of one who escaped 
from the first Bull Run, which they set upon a pole in 
front of their tavern, and threw his body to the hogs. 
Of these accusations there can be little doubt, as much 
pains were taken to inquire into them, and it was found, 
that while several of their neighbors acknowledged the 
fact^ others said they had heard of them, and none gave 



74 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

a direct denial. Thomas, however, we presume, is now 
meditating iipon his deeds, surrounded by an infinite 
host of congenial spirits, whose happiness and comfort is 
receiving the attention of their "beloved master who 
prompted them to their acts. Captain Farley and Lieu- 
tenant Carderees were on a courting expedition to the 

Misses , who lived in the neighborhood, and got 

themselves into trouble by neglecting their lady loves to 
go bushwhacking. -^ 

On the 29th, Captain McDonough, whose company 
had been disbanded by General Banks, at Hyattstown, 
Md., arrived with a new company and was assigned his 
old letter, B. The lieutenants were John li. Jack and 
James C. Manton, the former being one of the officers 
whose company was also disbanded at the same time. 
This gave us seven companies. 

On the 3d of December, the brigade started on a forag- 
ing expedition, and proceeded about nine miles up the 
pike to Mr. Thomas' House, where they captured a large 
number of wagon loads of corn, etc., that had just been 
collected by the enemy. Mr. Thomas was an agent for 
the Confederate Government, and was in the habit of 
scouring the country and collecting from the inhabitants, 
much against their will, bedding, blankets, clothing, etc., 
for the use of the army. The boys returned in the after- 
noon highly delighted with their expedition. 

While the roads were good. General McCall sent his 
expeditions a considerable distance from camp, reserving 
the forage near by for winter, but this prudential fore- 
sight availed him little, for one day General Smith, 
whose division laid on our left, sent out an extraor- 
dinary strong expedition and swept the whole country 
in our front, actually gathering within sight of our 
pickets. This was not considered axactly the fair thing, 
but further than a good-natured reproof no notice was 
taken of it. 

On the 12th, there was a review of the Keservcs. On 
the 19th we practiced with blank cartridges, and in the 



BATTLE OF DEAINESVILLE. 75 

evening received orders to be prepared to move at three 
o'clock the next morning. 

The Battle of Drainesville. — Early on the morn- 
ing of December 20, 18(31, Brigadier-General Ord, with 
the " Bucktails," Lientenant-Colonel Kane, Easton's bat- 
tery of four guns, and his own brigade, the Third, con- 
sisting of the Sixth, Captain W. G. Ent; the Ninth, 
Colonel C. F. Jackson ; the Tenth, Colonel J. S. McCal- 
niont, and the Twelfth, Colonel John H. Taggart, 
inarched through Drainesville and some distance be- 
yond on a foraging expedition, and on their return 
about two and a half o'clock, they discovered the enemy 
who were also on a foraging expedition, approaching 
from the direction of Centreville, on the Alexandria and 
Leesburg pike, in their rear. This pike joins the Chain 
Bridge and Leesburg pike a short distance east of 
Drainesville, near Thornton's house, where there is a 
heavy woods and high ground. To gain this position 
v/as the aim of both parties, and General Ord, by double 
quicking his command succeeded. The battle soon 
opened and lasted for one hour and a half with great 
fury, when General Ord observing the enemy to waver 
ordered a charge, when they broke and fled, leaving 
their killed and wounded and two caissons on the field, 
and were followed by our victorious troops for over a 
mile. The enemy's force consisted of First Kentucky 
Eifles, the First and Eleventh Kentucky Infantry, the 
Tenth Alabama and the Sixth South Carolina volun- 
teers, a regiment of cavalry and a battery of six guns, 
commanded by Acting Brigadier-general John H. For- 
ney, Their loss in killed and wounded was one hundred 
and sixtj-five men, they acknowledging that of one hun- 
dred and fifty. Among their killed was Colonel Tom 
Taylor, First Kentucky Eifies. Our loss was but seven 
killed and forty-one wounded, including four officers, 
among whom was Lieutenant- colonel Kane, slightly. 
AYe brought all our killed and wounded, many of the 
enemy's wounded, eight prisoners, and fiftj^-eight wagon 



76 



OUE CAMPAIGIn'S. 



loads of forage to camp. General McCall arrived upon 
the field during the action and took command. 

General Eeynolds, who had been moved with his 
brigade to Difficult creek, immediately upon hearing 
the sound of battle put his column in motion, striking 
across the country to the left for the purpose of inter"- 
ceptmg. the enemy in their retreat on the Alexandria 
and Leesburg pike, but his movement was counter- 
manded by General McCall, whose positive instructions 
were not to bring on a general engagement. The 
Second Brigade, General Meade, was also put in motion, 
and General Hancock's division was ordered to our 
support. General McClellan proceeded as far as Miner's 
Hill, where, finding the battle was over, he returned. 

This battle was the first victory gained by the Army 
of the Potomac, and after the disastrous defeats of "Bull 
Eun" and "Ball's Blufi;" was hailed with ioy bv the 
people of the North. 

A few days after the battle, His Excellency, Governor 
Curtin, visited the Eeserves to congratulate them and 
care for the wounded, and he caused the flags of the 
regiments that participated in the battle to be sent to 
Washington, where "Drainesville, December 20, 1861," 
was inscribed on each of them, after which they were re- 
turned to them in the presence of the whole division and 
an assemblage of distinguished officials and civilians. 

On the 14th of January, Lieutenants John B. Eobinson 
and J. Baxter Fletcher, Sergeants Joseph Benison, David 
H. Pidgeon and Isaac C. Sharp, were detailed to proceed 
to Philadelphia,'on recruiting service. 

On the 20th, the regiment was paid off by Major Smith. 
Winter now set in, in earnest, and the " sacred soil of 
Yirginia " began to assume very much the appearance 
of a vast mud-puddle. Almost every day it drizzled, 
rained and snowed alternately ; the sun not blessing us 
with its genial rays, or Jack Frost coming to our relief 
to extricate us from the mud. Shoe and clothes brushes 
were at a discount. IsTice young men who formerly 



CAMP LIFE. 77 

prided themselves on their kid gloves and patent leather 
hoots, hegan to realize the stern necessities of the case, 
and officers, sergeants, corporals and privates wandered 
about in a promiscuous mass, floundering and splasbring 
in the mire as happy as young ducks in a -miid-puddle. 
Nature happily has formed man to be contented with 
circumstances, and what seems the height of misery to 
the imagination, in reality loses much of its unpleas- 
antness. The boys ate their rations, thought of their 
sweethearts, slept warmly in their bunks, stood in the 
mud on guard and shivered on picket, making the. best 
of their situation, occasional^ wishing the war was over, 
and having slight hopes of furloughs in the future. 

The reveille'rattles and up springs the soldiers. " Fall 
in. Company A !" rings down the street ; and with vari- 
ations in the last letter, is repeated over the camp. Out 
tumble the sleepy boys and range themselves in line in 
front of their tents. Eoll call is soon over and down 
they run to the neighboring brook where their toilet is 
performed. Back to their tents and tumbling in they 
soon have a gloAving fire burning, Then comes "peas 
on trencher," as breakfast is called — for what reason I 
know not, considering the unvarjdng bill of fare. But 
the fascinating summons is always obeyed, and with tin 
plates and cups, to the music of the " tin plate march," 
they proceed to the cook's quarters of their own com- 
pany. The milkless coffee is dipped from a huge kettle, . 
and the salt junk from a pile and with a few wafers of 
hard tack, the patriots march back to their bunks and 
enjoy a hearty meal. At eight comes guard mounting 
■ — quite an imposing ceremony in clear weather. Then 
the boys cut their wood and fill their canteens, clean 
their muskets, sew on buttons, write home, read, cut 
wooden chains and bone rings, play cards, smoke and 
talk over old times, and brag about their sweethearts. 
At noon ' roast beef," is sounded and out turns the re- 
doubtable tin plate band who waddle through the mud 
to the kitchen, where it is only by their redoubled ener- 



78 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

gios with tlie more uproarious rattling of merry voice?;, 
that the Avords of discontent and grumbling are drowned. 
The '^ roast beef" generally turns out to be an article 
kn^wn to the soldiers as "salt bo^se," which sometimes 
gives way to its fresh kindred, or bean soup, but is 
usually only varied with salt pork. The afternoon 
glides away like the morning, and then comes the un- 
changeable " hard tack and coffee." At nine, tattoo 
beats, and the regimental bands commencing on the 
right of each brigade begin playing and by the time 
they have ceased the half hour has expired for taps to 
sound, when all lis^hts are extim^uished and sounds cease. 
This is the routine of camp in bad weather, but when 
the ground will permit, drilling and bayonet exercise 
take place in the morning and afternoon, besides the 
" dress parade " of the evening. 

About this time target practice became, quite popular 
and the crack of muskets was heard daily in the rear 
of the camp. Company C, Captain Byrnes, was presented 
with four handsome silver medals by the members of 
Hibernia Engine Company of Philadelphia, which were 
fired for on the banks of the Potomac. The target was 
well riddled, and the prizes won by Corporal Thomas 
Wood, William Miller, Edward Concannon and William 
Derr. About the same time Company II fired for three 
magnificent silver medals, and the prizes were won by 
Captain Mealey, Corporal Edward Dubois and Samuel 
Hershaw. A leather medal, richly decorated with pegs 

was presented to Andy , he making the worst 

shot. In the regular army they have company and regi- 
mental prizes which are fired for yearly, and army prizes 
that become the private property of the winner. 

Although our regiment numbered but seven companies 
we were required to furnish the guard and picket details 
of a full regiment, which, though it came rather hard, 
was cheerfully submitted to. The two companies de- 
tailed for picket were up bright and early, and with a day's 
cooked rations, marched up the pike above the general's 



"OLD UXCLE BEN. 79 

quarters, where they were inspected by one of his aids, 
who verified the detaiL They then proceeded to Pros- 
pect Hill, where they were divided into three reliefs, and 
relieved the old picket. Shelters of boughs were here 
built for the Eeserve to lie in, and a considerable portion 
of the day was spent in cutting wood for the night. Our 
regiment generally picketed trom the pike to the Potomac, 
but when it laid to the left of the road they ma^e the 
Ball House their headquarters. Mr. Ball was a violent 
secessionist, and like most of his clan had abandoned 
his home and with his family gone south upon the ap- 
proach of our army. The consequence was, everj^thing 
soon went to ruin. The trees were cut down, fences 
turned up, and one board after another disappeared 
from the house, until the chimney alone marked where 
it once stood. This was the case all the way down to 
the Chain Bridge and to Alexandria, the only exceptions 
being of those who had sense enough to remain at home, 
and those who had returned from the exile into which 
they had been driven by their secession neighbours. 
When the rebellion first broke out, the secessionists, 
although in the minority, with the aid of Confederate 
troops drove the Union citizens from their houses, im- 
pressing the young men, and plundering and robbing the 
old and helpless. 

An old slave and his wife were all that remained on 
the farm, and their cabin and little garden were undis- 
turbed. They obtained their daily food from the haver- 
sacks of the soldiers, for which they appeared grateful. 
They had great faith in the efficacy of prayer, and when 
'' old Uncle Ben" discoursed upon the war, he was wont 
to observe, " Massa Linkum has a power of men, and 
them am mighty fond of chickens. I spects Massa 
Government must be powerfully rich to own all dem 
wagons and horses." Uncle Ben truly loved the afore- 
said gentleman, and frequently inquired if they ''had 
eber experienced religion." 

Picketing in pleasant weather was much preferable to 



80 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

the camp, but on the bleak hills of the Potomac, during 
the bitter cold nights, the wind came rushing down the 
valley, penetrating to the very bones. Sometimes the 
weather was so intensely cold, that the men were relieved 
every hour. Then it was their pace was quickened on 
the beat, and in their frail shelters they huddled up 
together to get warm, the motto being, " united we sleep, 
divided we freeze." 

Some of the men. with bad memories, had considerable 
trouble in remembering the countersign. One night, 

when Pat D was posted, the corporal gave him the 

word ^' Malta." "Now remember, Pat, by thinking 
of malt from which liquor is made, you can remember 
it." ''Yes, sir," replied Pat. Sometime afterwards, 
when an officer visited the posts, he interrogated Pat. 
Pat looked' confused for a few moments when his face 
brightened up as he replied, "and is it rye, sir?" At 
another time when the word was " Brandywine," one of 
the men replied, " wine and whiskey," and at another 
time the word " Toledo" was tortured into "toad eater." 

Beyond the picket line was the cavalry patrol, who 
moved to and fro on the pike, as far as Difficult creek. 
Sometimes on cold nights the patrols would induce some 
one of the infantry who was off duty to ride a round for 
him, while he warmed bimself. This, however, he had 
better not have been caught at. 

Of course, the men wished to visit their homes during 
the winter, and as furloughs could not be granted to all, 
many were doomed to disappointment. Considerable 
numbers, however, took a run home for a week or ten 
days without any authority, which was called " taking 
French." To accomplish this, they concealed themselves 
in the army wagons and were smuggled across the Chain 
Bridge to Washington, where they procured citizens 
clothes and went north, ^fany of them, however, were 
detected by the depot guard in spite of their disguise, for 
soldiers have a peculiar look and style about them that 
is easily detected by a practiced eye. And woe unto 



THE MOTHER OF JACKSON. 81 

them that were cauglit, for the guard-liouse was their 
certain resting place until they were sent to their regi- 
ments under arrest. None of the Second boys, however, 
were put to this indignity, but whether it was on account 
of their virtue or excessive cuteness, the reader must 
iiidgc for himself. When the Potomac froze over this evil 
became prevalent in spite of the sure punishment that 
awaited their return to camp, for the men were wilhng. 
to stand it for the pleasures of home. However, there is 
a mode to remedy all evils, so pickets were stationed on 
the river with orders to shoot down any one who at- 
tempted to cross. But home, no matter how humble is 
the palace of the heart, and some of the boys took the 
risk and got safely over, and surely it was right to deal 
leniently with them when they returned. 

A short distance beyond Difficult creek was the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Jackson, the mother of Jim Jackson who 
killed the lamented Ellsworth. As it was ascertained that 
hor house was a general rendezvous for scouts and spies, 
whom she harbored and concealed, a squad of cavalry 
visited it early one morning with an ambulance and 
escorted her to General McCall's headquarters.^ Quite a 
number of concealed weapons and some important 
sketches of our picket line, that had been corrected to 
correspond with the changes lately made in it, were cap- 
tured, so the old lady was sent to Washington. 

On the 14th of February, First-Lieatenant Peter Sum- 
mers, Company XL resigned, and Orderly Sergeant Hugh 
P. Kennedy was elected to fill the vacancy. About the 
same time Assistant-surgeon J. W. Lodge resigned, and 
Doctor John Malone was appointed by Governor Ciirtm 
his successor. 

Five volunteers from each regiment of the Keserve 
were called for about this time for the Western flotilla, 
and the seventy-five men thus obtained from the division 
formed the crew of the celebrated gunboat Carondolet 
that ran such a glorious career on the Mississippi. 

A very amusing sell was started about this time by 

6 



82 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

some wags, who circulated in all tlie regiments, at the 
same time, a rumor to the effect that any volunteer who 
would enter the regular army would receive one hun- 
dred dollars in cash, and sixty days furlough by apply- 
ing at headquarters the next morning at ten o'clock. 
■ The consequence was that headquarters was literally 
besieged by the gulled ones, and those who came out of 
curiosity. The General, observing the crowd, sent one 
of his staff, "Old Snapping-Turtle,'' out to inquire the 
cause of it, who stormed like an old war-horse at the 
men for beinsf such fools. 

On the 3d of March the Reserves were ordered out 
with "kits complete," and marched to the Chain Bridge 
and back, a distance of eight miles. On the 5th this was 
repeated, the object being to prepare the men for the 
fatigues of the campaign. 



CHAPTER X. 

OPENTNn OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1802. FAREWELL TO PlERPONT. 

The MARfn. Hawkhurst's Mills. Army Corps. Wet and 
Noisy NiGiiT. " Hollo Barney." Alexandria. Embarka- 
tion FOR THE Peninsula. By Kailroad. A Night in Rebel 
Cabins. Ruins op Manassas. Bull Run Field. Selling 
Cider. March to the Rappahannock. Cavalry Skirmish. 
Washinton vs. David of old. 

For the proper elucidation of the subject it will be 
necessary here to refer to the planning of the campaign 
that was about opening. Two bases of operations for 
the Army of the Potomac presented themselves; one 
submitted by the President, January 31st, from Washing- 
ton, involving an attack upon Centreville and ]\Ianassas 
direct, or the turning of one or both flanks of those po- 
sitions, or a combination of those plans. An attack on the 
left flank involved too long a line of wagon communica- 
tion, and on the right flank by way of Occoquan if success- 



PLANS roil THE CAMPAIGN. 83 

ful by a decisive battle, could not have been followed up 
with commensurate results. Should the condition of the 
enemy's troops permit, he could fall back upon other 
positions, and fight us again and again, or if he was nut 
in a condition to give battle outside of the intrenchments 
at Eichmond, it would have proved difficult and hazard- 
ous to have followed him there either by way of Frede- 
ricksburg or Gordons ville, as he would have destroyed 
the railroad bridges and otherwise impeded our progress. 
Besides a line of communication from Washington to 
Richmond, through an enemy's country, was impracti- 
cable. A direct attack upon Centre ville would have 
been productive of no other results, and a combined 
attack upon that point and the right flank was impracti- 
cable on account of the distance and obstacles intervening 
between the columns. 

The plan submitted by General McClellan, February 
8d, was to operate from the lower Chesapeake, making 
Urbana, on the lower Rappahannock, the point of laud- 
ing, which is distant from West Point one march, an.l 
from Richmond but two. This would havfe necessitated 
the abandonment of Manassas, Centreville and the Upper 
Potomac by the enemy, and if followed with celerity of 
movements the probable cutting oil of Magruder in the 
Peninsula, and the occupation of Richmond before the 
enemy's forces could have been poncentrated for its de- 
I'cnce. The latter proposition was adopted, and as early as 
Febraary l-lth the collection of vessels for the transporta- 
tion of the army to the lower Potomac was commenced. 

On the 9th of March information was received that 
the enemy having discovered the intended movement, 
Vv^as evacuating Centreville and Manassas, as well as hi?s 
positions on the upper and lower Potomac. Upon his 
retiring, he having destroyed all the railroad bridges in his 
rear, and the roads being almost impassable, it was impos- 
sible to inflict the usual damage generally afforded by the 
withdrawal of a large army in the face of a powerful foe. 
But as considerable lime must elause before transporta- 



84 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

tion could be collected to convey the army to the lower 
Potomac, an opportunity was offered to experience the 
troops on the march and bivouac previous to the cam- 
paign, and to get rid of the superfluous baggage which 
had accumulated in the camp during our long period of 
inactivity. 

Accordingly on the night of the 9th, orders were is- 
sued for a general movement of the army the next morn- 
ing, our regiment being ordered to have four days' 
cooked rations in haversacks, sixty rounds of cartridges, 
and kit complete. 

At eleven o'clock on the 10th of March, 1862, we got 
into line, and bidding farewell to our happy home at 
Pierpont, crossed over the fields to the pike, and took up 
our line of march. A heavy rain had fallen through the 
night and during the morning, rendering the roads very 
muddy, and our backs being green, the knapsacks bore 
heavily upon us. But all were in excellent spirits, be- 
lieving we would soon meet the foe, and sooner than fall 
out to rest, the men threw away their extra clothing, 
strewing the road along the march with coats, blouses, 
blankets, etc. We continued up the pike across Difficult 
Creek to Spring Vale, within three miles of Drainesville, 
when turning to the left and following a bridle path 
throuQ^h the woods and over the hills, wo reached about 
dark the neighborhood of 'Hunter's Mills, near which, on 
the Loudon and Hampshire railroad we bivouacked, the 
night being cold and rainy. Here we remained until the 
next afternoon, when we marched about two miles to a 
high elevation near the ruins of Hawk hurst's Mills, 
where we encamped. 

Oar encaiiipm3nt was about seventeen miles from 
Pierpont, two from. Fairfax Court House, and eight from 
the Bull Kun battle-field. The scene here was magnifi- 
cent, particularly at night, when the valleys and hills 
beneath us for miles around, were lit up with thousands 
of camp-fires. Here we received our "shelter tents," 
which experience taught us were the best in use for an 



"" ORGAXIZATION" OF THE CORPS. 85 

army in the field. But at first tliey were very unpopular, 
the men calling them " clog houses," and for amusement 
creeping into them on their hands and knees, and bark- 
ing out of the ends at each other. 

It should have been stated, that on the 8th of March, 
the President directed the Army of the Potomac to be 
divided into four corps, in compliance with which, there 
was assigned to General Irwin McDowell the first, con- 
sisting of the divisions of Franklin, McCall and King. 
To General B. Y. Sumner the second, consisting of Eich- 
ardson, Blenker and Seds^wick. To General S. P. Heint- 
zleman the third, consistins; of F. J. Porter, Hooker and 
Hamilton ; and to General E. D. Keyes the fourth, con- 
sisting of Couch, Smith and Casey. On the 11th, an 
order from the President announced, that as General 
McClellan had personally taken the field, he was relieved 
from the command of the other military departments, 
and would retain command of the Department of the 
Potomac. 

It being ascertained that the enemy were in no force 
north of Warrenton Junction, on the evening of the 14:th, 
during a light fall of rain, we took up our march through 
the woods, passing on every side bivouacks, and burning 
bough huts and arbors, the glare from which lighted us 
upon our road for miles. Beaching the Alexandria and 
Leesburg Pike, we turned to the right, and passing along 
it for two miles, about eleven o'clock filed into a dense 
open woods, where, in spite of the falling rain, our fires 
soon burnt brightly, and we slept soundly. The next 
morning early, during a heavy rain, we took up our 
march, moving across the country to the Drainesville 
Pike, and turning down it crossed Difficult Creek, pass- 
ing within four miles of our old home at Pierpont, and 
entering a woods, moved back again towards the Alex- 
andria and Leesburg Pike by a private road. The rain 
by this time was falling in torrents, flooding the swampy 
ground, making the marching most tiresome and fatigu- 
ing. Soon the ranks were broken, the men scattering. 



8G OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

plunging tlirougli tlie mud, and toiling under tlieir knap- 
sacks, made doubly heavy by their blankets and over- 
coats becoming saturated with water. Soon they com- 
menced dropping out, and laid scattered through the 
woods for miles. Upon striking the turnpike again, a 
long halt was called for the stragglers to catch up, and 
then movmg on, we soon filed into a wood and stacked 
arms. This was about three o'clock, and although we 
had marched fifteen miles, we were but three miles from 
the starting point in the morning, the detour to the 
left being made on account of the enemy having burned 
the bridge on the pike over Difficult Creek some months 
previous. 

After much patient labor, Ave succeeded in getting our 
fires started, and towards night hot coffee was served 
out, but such was the violence of the storm, that it was 
impoaeible to put up our tents, the most of the men 
spending the night in cutting wood and standing around 
the fires. At one time the heavens appeared to out do 
themselves, opening their flood-gates and pouring down 
a torrent of water, stifling the wind and flooding all 
below. The fires were almost instantly extinguished, 
and then the patriots were aroused to a full appreciation 
of their position. JSTot to be thus conquered and sub- 
dued by the raging elements, they set up their wild 
shouts and huzzahs, makins: the woods and hills for 
miles around echo with their noise, until by indomitable 
perseverance, they actually got themselves into a good 
liumor. All that was wanted* after they got full}^ started 
to complete their happiness, was a fiddle and a '^straight 
four," and then they would have made a full night of it. 
But morning came, and with it a bright warm sun. Nature 
appearing to have exhausted herself in the mad rage of 
the night. 

At ten o'clock the next morning, Ave moved down the 
pike, passing Falls Church, Munson's Hill, and a long 
line of fortifications erected at diiferent times by the 
Union and Confederate troops, and arriving Avithin a mile 



87 

of Alexandria, moved over the fields to tlie left, and en- 
camped near the Cemetery and the Fairfax Seminary. 
On account of the roads, and the sleepless night, the 
march was rather an inanimate one, but little spirit of 
joviality being displayed until Ave met a supply train 
moving in an opposite direction among whose drivers 
was a red panted Zouave, the first we had seen. One of 
the boys found out his name, and as he passed cried out 
"hallo Barney" — Barney turned round to see who his 
friend was, when the whole regiment saluted him. At 
first he was disposed to take it ill-naturedly, and gave 
full vent to violent gesticulations and oaths, but finding 
he was " in for it," he jumped upon the seat of the wagon, 
and commenced dancing and waving his hat. As he 
passed by our regiment, the next took it up, and for a 
long way we could hear the shouts of " Barney," and see 
his red pants dangling in the air. Thus a happy point 
taken will enliven for a time a whole army. 

The war metamorphosed Alexandria from a quiet Old 
Yirginia town into a bustling business place. Almost 
every house was turned into a store, restaurant or board- 
ing house, all of which did a thriving business from 
the continual influx of officers, soldiers, government 
attaches and innumerable teamsters and workmen. 
Though the sale of liquor was prohibited under severe 
penalty, and the provost ggard continually visited places 
suspected of the illicit traffic, yet large quantities of it 
were daily sold. One individual had a barrel up his 
chimney, another one upon the top of his house, from 
which he drew it out of a gas jet in a back room, and a 
third drew it from a private house next door by means 
of his hydrant. The city possessed not a single attrac- 
tion for a private residence. As the whole army was 
now concentrated in the neighborhood, the streets were 
crowded with soldiers, many of whom went to excesses, 
though not annoying the citizens or particularly harming 
themselves, but as the Eeserves had not been paid oft* for 



86 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

some time, and were out of money, they won golden 
opinions for their good condact. 

The enemy'a retreat from j\Ianassas to Gordonsvillo 
somewhat modified the plans of the campaign, and at a 
council of corps commanders held at Fairfax Court 
House on the 13th, the Peninsula campaign was decided 
upon, provided the enemy's steamer Merrimac could be 
neutralized, the army be immediately transported to the 
Lower Potomac, the navy co-operate in silencing the 
batteries on the York river, and Washington be made 
safe. If not, to Eichmond via Manassas and the Rappa- 
hannock. The embarkation of the army was imme- 
diately commenced at Alexandria, Washington and 
Pcrryville, and in thirty-seven days after the order was 
received by the Hon. John Tucker, Assistant-secretary 
of War, one hundred and tweuty-one thousand, five 
hundred men, fourtee^n thousand live hundred and ninety- 
two animals, one thousand one hundred and fifty wagons, 
forty-four batteries, seventy-four ambulances, besides 
pontoon bridges, telegraph materials, and the enormous 
quantity of equipage, etc., required for an army of such 
magnitude, were transferred to Fortress Monroe with the 
loss of but eight mules and nine barges, an operation of 
such magnitude as was without a parallel in this country. 
The weather during our encampment here was cold, 
rainy and unpleasant, rendering the ground mostly unfit 
for drilling, but every favorable opportunity was taken 
advantage of for that purpose. We received our full 
ration and a ration of whisky was served out every 
rainy night. As- the troops who had laid here all winter 
had cut down and used the wood in the neighborhood, it 
was scarce, and the boys hearing some regiments of New 
York troops had embarked for the Peninsula, went over 
and rummaged their encampments, and procured a rich 
supply of boards, etc. Some commissary stores were left 
behind under guard, to which they proceeded to help 
themselves, under the patriotic impression that as they 
belonged to Uncle Sam, it was their duty to improve his 



START FOE THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 89 

property by keeping themselves in good figliting 
order. 

Ou the 2d of April, Captain George A. Woodward was 
elected Major, First Lieutenant Horace Neide, Captain, 
and Orderly Sergeant Daniel H. Connors, First Lieu- 
tenant. Alter the election the Major regaled the men on 
ale, and his opponent on whisky, which made what is 
termed a " stone wall," some portion of which toppled 
over during the night. 

About this time a company of Pennsylvanians, under 
the command of Lieutenant John M. Clark, who had 
been attached to the First District of Columbia Volun- 
teers, were nominally transferred to our regiment, taking 
letter F, but were assigned by General McCall to_ talie 
charge of the extra line of caissons for the artillery 
battalion of the Eeserves. 

Our Corps de Armee, being detached from the Army 
of the Potomac, constituted an independent command — 
the Department of the Eappahannock — under General 
McDowell, designed to cover Washington. We prepai^ed 
to move south, iirst having tlio cartridges increased to 
one hundred per man. 

Early on the morning of the 9th, we struck tents, and 
strapping them on our knapsacks, with three^ days' 
cooked rations in haversacks, moved off. A severe storm 
of alternate rain, hail and snow, which had been falling 
for several days, was prevailing, rendering the roads and 
fields we passed over in many places knee-deep in mud. 
Passing down between Forts Ellsworth and Lyons, we 
marched about three miles to the Orange and Alexandria 
railroad where we halted to await transportation. Here 
we stood six hours shivering in the mud, with our heavy 
knapsacks upon our backs, but about three o'clock the 
cars arrived and our brigade embarked and we got under 
way. Our journey was without any incident of interest, 
and at nine o'clock in the evening the train halted about 
two miles beyond Bull Pvun creek, in front of a large 
deserted encampment of huts, that had been built and 



90 OUR CAMPAIGJ^S. 

occupied bj tlic enemy during tile winter. We had an- 
ticipated a hard night of it, in the open fields without 
fires, so these proved a perfect god-send to us, as the 
snow was deep and the storm was raging with fury, and 
many of the men had been exposed through the day on 
platform cars, so closely huddled together that they could 
hardly move. We were in the cabins but a few mo- 
ments before bright crackling fires were burning in the 
ample chimney-places and we were partaking of a boun- 
tiful supper of hot coffee, crackers and junk. As we sat 
around the cheerful fires enjoying our pipes, we soon 
forgot the exposure of the day and the storm that was 
raging without, and then stretching ourselves upon the 
clay floor we enjoyed a good night's sleep. 

The next morning at eight o'clock we formed and 
marched up the raih'oad about three miles, the surround- 
ing country presenting a scene of desolation, being 
stripped of fences and wood. On either side were 
deserted huts, camps, broken wagons, caissons, barrels 
and boxes. 

At Manassas Junction were the vast ruins of the 
depot and other buildings burnt by the enemy in the 
haste of retreat, they being unable to remove the im- 
mense amount of provisions and clothmg collected there. 
Smouldering ruins, wrecked cars and machinery, vast 
piles of flour, pork, beef, wagons, lumber, trunks, bottles, 
demijohns, tents, hides, tallow, bones, dismantled fortifi- 
cations and rifle pits all mixed up together in .inextri- 
cable confusion. Moving on, we entered a large open 
plain, surrounded by woods ; and passing through a col- 
lection of deserted huts, we encamped in a pine forest 
on its border, in an old encampment of our sivedadcUing 
friends. The only tiling of life left to welcome ns was a 
pet turkey buzzard whose wings they had clipped to 
prevent its escape. What a fit emblem it would make 
for their bogus Government I 

Near by, in a fine oak forest, were the ruins of the 
enemy's hospitals, which they burnt before leaving. 



BULL RUN BATTLE FIELD. 91 

They were of boards, one story liigli and consisted of 
five rovrs; of ten buildings, each twenty-four by one 
hundred and twenty-eight feet, besides several detached 
houses and stables, all connected by broken sandstone 
walks, to protect the patient's feet from the damp earth. 
Near them was a large grave yard, and many clusters of 
graves were found in the neighborhood. 

While here .many of us visited the Bull Run battle 
field, situated about seven miles distant, finding but few 
occupied houses on the road, most of the inhabitants 
having left, they believing the stories so freely promul- 
gated in the Southern papers of . our monstrosities. 
Where they remained at home a guard was famished 
for their houses and their property protected. Near the 
battle-field were a number of huts lately occupied_ by 
the enemy, and over the door of one was found nailed 
the cross bones and skull of a human being. Leg bones 
were also found with the marrow but partially dried up 
in them, from which finger rings had been sawed off. 
What singular and refined tastes the chivalry of the 
South have ! It was noticed that while there were quite 
a number of bibles and tracts left in their cabins, there 
were no cards to be found, but whether this was to be 
accounted for by the fact of their being conscientiously 
opposed to gaming, or considered the cards the most 
valuable of the two, we cannot say. The field, of course, 
possessed much interest to all, and the important posi- 
tions were carefully examined. The bones of men and 
horses lay scattered about unburied although the enemy 
laid in the immediate neighborhood for eight months. 
Near the water courses were found the skeletons of 
many of the wounded who had crawled to them to 
quench their thirst. 

On the 12th the regiment was paid ofi' by Major John 
M. Pomeroy, and soon after our sutler. Captain Knox, 
resigned and left us. Mr. Stokes was appointed in his 
place, but being unable to give satisfaction, soon after 
left. About this time Scrgcaut-Major Augustus T. Cross, 



92 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

was appointed adjutant of the regiment, vice ISTeide 
promoted. 

Soon after our arrival, quite a number of sutler and 
other "shebangs," were opened in our neighborhood, 
which furnished us with an abundant supply of the 
various articles so necessary for the soldier's comfort. 
One individual was doing a thriving business, he having 
succeeded in smuggling through a barrel of cider, which 
delightful beverage he dispensed to his thirsty patrons 
at ten cents a glass. Some of the boys, however, con- 
ceived the idea of running opposition to him, and having 
succeeded through false pretence in borrowing an auger 
and spicket from him, cut a hole in the back of his tent, 
tapped his barrel, and commenced operations. As they 
charged but half price, and gave twice as much, they 
were liberally patronized, and after selling out in an in- 
credibly short time, they decamped, when he was invited 
around to view the operation. He owned up he had 
been " sold" in the auger and spicket arrangement, but 
thought the joke a "little practical." 

While here the Second and Third Brigades arrived, 
companies from our regiment were sent on picket, and 
frequent battalion drills were had. 

At eight o'clock on the morning of the 17th, we formed 
and moved out on the open plain, where we laid until 
eleven o'clock, when we moved oft* to the south, soon 
striking the railroad, down which we marched, crossing 
Broad and Kettle runs on the new bridges that were 
being built to replace those destroyed by the enemy. 
Near the latter is Bristow Station, where Company A, 
Captain Neide, was detailed on guard duty. About a 
mile beyond this we' filed into a woods, and encamped 
for the night near Brents ville. The next morning early 
v/e again moved clown the railroad. The day was very 
warm, and many of the men threw away their overcoats 
to lighten their burdens. About noon we reached Cat- 
lett's Station, near Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Occo- 
quan River, where wo encamped. That night Companies 



THE BIVOUAC. 93 

E and ET, Captains Finnie and Meale3^ were detailed for 
picket under Major Woodward, on the heights beyond 
Cedar creek. While we laid here, we found for the first 
time honest people, they acknowledging frankly they 
were secessionists at heart, but regretted secession since 
it was followed by war. It was much more satisfactory 
to talk to such than with hypocrites, who uttered senti- 
ments of loj^alty, while traitors at heart. Much rain fell 
while we laid here, which prevented our drilling. 

While here our surgeon. Dr. Thomas B. Reed, of 
Washington county, Pennsylvania, was promoted bri- 
gade surgeon, and ordered to Yorktown. His departure 
from among us was regretted, as his eminent skill and 
ability, and fine intellectual qualities, caused his loss to 
be deeply felt. 

On the 26th, about noon we marched off, crossing 
Cedar creek on falling trees, and passing over hills and 
dales, through the woods and fields, in a southeasterly 
direction and towards night bivouacked on the south bank 
of Elk creek, having marched six miles. On our route 
we passed several deserted houses and camps, also a 
number of newly made graves. The ground we laid 
upon was a gentle sloping hillside, admirably situated 
for our comfort, having an abundance of water and fence 
rails near by. What a sight it is to see a division 
bivouac for the night ! The brigades and regiments as 
they march into the fields are assigned their positions, 
and no sooner have they stacked arms, than off* goes 
their knapsacks, and the men rash for the nearest fences. 
In a few minutes they are torn down, and thousands of 
men, with several rails each upon their shoulders, are 
seen hurrying towards their stacks. Then another rush 
is made for water, and soon a thousand fires are brightly 
burning, with the busy blue coats around them cooking 
their coffee. Then the pipe, then the blanket, and soon 
all are lost in peaceful sleep, except the guard, who, 
tlirough the lone hours of the night, keep watch and 
ward over their comrades. 



^^ OUR CAMPAIGXS. 



The next morning was Sunday, a clear and beautiful 
day, and about six m the morning, after soundino- the 
sick c^il, we marched off; On our march we passed two 
churches, one a Methodist and the other a Baptist but 
m neither of them had service been held for eight months 
JN ear one was collected a number of slaves, who told us 
they had been for sometime discussing the subject of 
movmg North. They, however, were divided in their 
^P?J^;f^' !h ^^'^ ^^^^^ prefering to ^ remain near their 
childhood s home, but the younger longing for the liberty 
they knew not of. We passed through a small village 
called White Eidge, near which, about noon, we en- 
camped m a pme woods, having made eight miles Near 
by was a pond of clear water with a spring in the middle 
ot it but without proper outlet. The men went to it to 
111! their canteens, but General Reynolds ordered his 
orderlies to ride m and muddy the water, which caused 
the men to seek othei and purer water. On our route 
we were followed by many negroes and some whites, 
whose object, principally, was to get such clothes as the 
men would give them. At guard-mounting, an amusino- 
scene took place. When the band commenced playin'? 
the negroes involuntarily broke forth into a dance, clap- 
ping their hands and singing. After this was over a 
grand butting match took place, their heads crushing 
together like rocks, but producing no effect upon then? 
Alter scrambling for a few handfuls of pennies thrown 
among them, they left for their homes, happy with their 
alternoon's sport. Companies B and K, Captains McDo- 
nough and Smith, were thrown out on i)icket for the 
night. 

^ The next day was clear, pleasant, and cool for march- 
ing, and at six m the morning we moved of^; followino- 
the fields along side of the roads. The country becam? 
more diversified and timber heavier. As we marched 
on we passed a large brick house, from a tree in front of 
which was flying the stars and stripes, and as the men 
caught sight of It, they rent the air with deafenino- 

o 



CAVALRY FIGHT. - 95 

cheers, whicli rolling down the line echoed through the 
woods. At noon a long halt was called, and then pass- 
ing through Hartword, a small village, we bivouacked 
at three o'clock in a fine woods two miles from Falmouth, 
Stafford county, and although we made seventeen miles, 
the brigade came in in fine order with but few strasrsrlers. 

The next morning, the 29th, we marched early and 
passed by where our cavalry had a skirmish with the 
enemy on the 18th, and which was marked by a breast- 
work of rails, newly made graves, and dead horses, The 
enemy's force consisted of a regiment of infantry, one of 
cavalry, and a battery of artillery. They were charged 
by the First Eeserve Cavalry under Colonel Bayard, and 
after being driven from their position were pushed to the 
Eappahannock, which they crossed on the upper bridge 
at Falmouth, which they burnt. Our loss was five men 
and fifteen horses killed, and sixteen men wounded. 
The enemy's loss was about equal to ours. Lieutenant- 
colonel Kilpatrick, Second New York (Ira Harris) Ca. 
valry was wounded, and Lieutenant Decker killed. 
Colonel Bayard's horse was wounded in four places. 
Soon after we entered Falmouth, through- which we 
passed with our banners unfurled and bands playing. 
The inhabitants flocked to the doors and windows to 
gaze at us, and a motley crowd of negroes followed, 
highly delighted at the music and sight. About a mile 
beyond, on the Aquia road we encamped in a fine wood, 
where we found an abundance of fuel and water. The 
same afternoon the Second Brigade, General Meade, 
arrived and encamped to our lelt. 

The ground where our camp laid was once owned by 
Washington, he having inherited it from his father. 
Here he spent his youth between the age of ten and 
sixteen, during which time he obtained the principal 
portion of his education. Near the headquarters of 
General King, at the " Phillip's House," stood the old 
mansion, from the lawn in front of which, it is said, 
George threw a stone into the river, a feat, which none 



93 



OUE CAMPAIGNS. 



of his companions were able to accomplish. We ar^- 
not the least surprised at this, as the distance is about 
one mile ! If this statement is true, the patriot in his 
youthful days must have been a powerful boy, and able 
to put in the shade the feats of David of old 



CHAPTER XL 

Falmouth. Visit of President Lincoln. Crossing the Rap- 
rtr//''"''- i^^^^"" OF Mary Washington. Love bubble. 
Cemetery. March to Gray's Landing. Embarkation for 

I^^Z^^XIL."!''''^ ^" ^"^ ^"^^^ ^^^-^- ^^-- - 

The town of Falmouth is situated on the east bank of 
the Rappahannock, below the Falls, and nearly opposite 
i^redencksburg, with which it was connected by two 
bridges, one at the upper and one at the lower end of the 
town the latter being used by the Aquia Creek Railroad 
but both of which were burned by the enemy, with 
several steamboats and a number of sailino- crafts upon 
our approach. A church in which several denomina- 
tions formerly worshipped, a cotton factory, and several 
store houses constituted the brick portion of the town 
and about eighty houses, mostly in a dilapidated con- 
dition, constituted the frame portion of it. Deep water 
galleys were worn in the streets, and the whole plac^ 
presented the appearance of decav. What few articles 
the inhabitants offered for sale commanded enormous 
prices, but soon the town was filled with onr sutlers 
storekeepers and pliotographers, who gave new lif.. to it' 
On the 1st of May, private E. M. Woodward, Com- 
pany H, was appointed sergeant-major of the reo-iment 
vice A.T.Cross, promoted adjutant. On the 8d, Easton's! 
Coopers and Kern's batteries arrived. On the 4th the 



FALMOUTH. 97 

Third Brigade, General Ord, arrived, and on the 11th, 
Company A, Captain Neide came in with the Fifth Re- 
serve, Colonel Simmons, from Bristoe Station, where they, 
lost William Holmes, the first one of the regiment that 
died. On the same afternoon, the enemy drove in our 
out-posts of the Second New York Cavalry, under Major 
Duffie, on the Bowling Green road, back of Fredericks- 
burg, but coming upon the reserve, they were hand- 
somely repulsed, with the loss of one lieutenant and ten 
men prisoners, one killed and several wounded ; our loss 
being but one horse. The enemy in our front were 
under the commandof General Anderson, and numbered 
about fifteen thousand men. On the 12th, there was 
great rejoicing in camp upon the reception of the news 
of the evacuation of Yorktown, and the destruction of 
the Merrimac by the enemy, in honor of which a salute 
was fired of forty-four guns. About the same time, 
William Goucher, of Easton, Pennsylvania, was appointed 
sutler of the regiment, and soon after arrived with a good 
supply of stores. Lieutenant Robinson, with his recruit- 
ing party, also arrived from Philadelphia with a number 
of recruits. ' 

At Falmouth a large bakery was established by Cap- 
tain James B. Clow, division commissary, which was 
capable of turning out twenty-one thousand six hundred 
loaves of bread per day. The Reserves picketed as far 
as eight miles up the river, and in a circle around Fal- 
mouth, about two miles from camp. Several of the 
Eighth regiment were killed while on duty at the mines. 

Kear the upper end of the town, resided Mr. J. B. 
Fickner, a noted secessionist and a gentleman of^great 
wealtli, who owned large tracts of land on both sides of 
the river, the upper bridge and a factory. While we 
were on cattle guard at his farm, he frequently visited 
and conversed with us. He deeply lamented the war,, 
not on account of the destruction of the Government, but 
of his property, but he consoled himself with the belief 
that the Government would have to pay for the damage- 

7 



98 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

done by the rebels. To this we fully agreed, and suggested 
to him the propriety of applying for a pension for his 
son, who was wounded while in the Confederate service. 
The old gentleman looked somewhat confused at this, 
he not being aware that we were acquainted with his 
own and his son's antecedents. 

While we laid here Dr. Edward Donnelly, of Phila- 
delphia, surgeon Fifth Eeserve, was transferred to our 
regiment, vice Dr. Thomas B. Reed, promoted brigade 
surgeon. 

On the 21st, at nine o'clock in the morning, we 
formed and marched about two miles to a large open 
field, where our brigade was reviewed and inspected by 
General Van Rensallaer, Inspector-General of our Corps. 
At the review, the bands of the five regiments number- 
ing some eighty instruments were joined, producing the 
most soul-inspiring music. It was three o'clock in the 
afternoon before the inspection was got through with. 

On the afternoon of the 23d, His Excellency the Presi- 
dent of the United States, accompanied by the Honor- 
able Secretary of War, and other members of the Cabi- 
net, Major-General McDowell, stafi' and cavalry escort, 
reviewed the first corps about three miles ffom camp. 
As the President rode down the line on a fine spirited 
horse, the troops presented arms, the standards and 
colors drooped, ofiicers saluted, drums beat, trumpets 
sounded, and a salute of twenty-one guns fired. Long 
and loud cheers for the honored chief, broke forth from 
the men, as he passed along the line. 

As early as the 17th, General McDowell had been in- 
structed to move upon Richmond by the general route 
of the Richmond and Fredericksburg^ railroad, as soon 

CD ' 

as joined by General Shield's division, which came in 
atler long and ftitiguing marches on the 22nd, and it was 
decided upon at a consultation between the President 
and the generals that the movement should commence 
on the morning of the 26th. But on account of the ad- 
vance of the enemy under " Stonewall'' Jackson down 



FEEDERICKSBUHG. 99 

tlie valley of the Shenandoali, rendering the position of 
General Banks' force critical, General Shield's, King's 
and Ord's divisions and four companies of the "Back- 
tails " under Lieutenant-Colonel Kane were on the 25th 
dispatched to his relief. 

Although this unforseen circumstance prevented the 
contemplated advance of Mc^Dowell, on the 26th, at 
eleven o'clock, A. M., we broke camp and marched to- 
ward Falmouth, halting at the abandoned camp of the 
Twenty-second ISTew York, where we put up our tents, 
but had hardly got through with our work, when we 
were ordered to again move. Striking tents, we marched 
to the river and crossed over on a trestle bridge, and 
entered Fredericksburg. The day was drizzly and the 
streets muddy, but with our unfurled banners and mar- 
tial music we marched merrily through the city. The 
houses of the rich were mostly closed ; a few old folks 
and young children gazed out of the windows at us, and 
at the corners the negroes were collected in knots and 
appeared in a very happy mood. Passing through the 
city, we moved out William street about a half mile 
beyond the cemetery on the heights back of the city 
where we bivouacked in some scrub-oak brush to the 
right of tlie plank road, strict orders being given to 
avoid injuring the growing crops of the neighboring 
fields. Considerable rain fell during the night, and the 
next morning we moved to the left of the road, and en- 
camped on a gently sloping hill commanding a fine view 
of the city. 

Fredericksburg is an ancient city, situated on the 
western bank of the Kappahannock, and is principally 
noted f(jr the refinement of its inhabitants, their aristo- 
cratic characteristics and the beauty of its women. Prior 
to the war it contained about five thousand inhabitants, 
and its exports amounted to some million of dollars 
yearly. 

The first account we have of this locality is that given 



100 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

by Captain John Smith who ascended the river in 1608, 
and fought the Indians on the present site of the town. 

It was here that Mary, the mother of Washington re- 
sided for many years prior to her death, which occurred 
on the 25th of August, 1789. Her grave is near the 
outskirts of the town upon the edge of a pretty bluff 
near the cemetery. Some years ago an attempt was 
made to erect a suitable monument to the memory of 
this good and estimable lady, and the corner-stone was 
laid by President Jackson, but for want of public spirit 
the project fell through. Some years afterwards, a 
merchant from New York who was doing business there 
at the time, fell desperately in love with one of the Lewis 
branch of the family and her money, and to advance his 
suit determined to complete the monument, but before it 
was finished his firm collapsed and his bright visions of 
love and gold vanished like a soap-bubble. In the cem- 
etery near by are several pretty monuments, and among 
them that of Hugh Mercer, M. D., a son of General Hugh 
Mercer, who fell so gloriously at Princeton. The gen- 
eral prior to the Ee volution practised medicine here. 
There also, in newly-made graves, rested in quiet repose 
some three hundred Confederate soldiers, victims of the 
mad ambition of their reckless leaders. Though mostly 
strangers from the far South, the hand of sympathy had 
decked. their graves with flowers, and already the "Love- 
entangled " and " Forget-me-not," had taken root in the 
new earth. 

Soon after General McDowell arrived, work was com- 
menced on the Aquia creek and Fredericksburg railroad, 
which was soon put in running order. The railroad 
bridge was also rebuilt across the river, a bridge of canal 
boats completed below it, a trestle one above, and a pon- 
toon thrown over opposite Falmouth. Stockades and 
block houses were built to protect the approaches to these, 
and artillery commanded them on the eastern bluffs. 

On the 9th of May, Mr. Hunnicutt commenced the re- 
issue of his paper "7'Ae Chrlstimi Banner,^^ which he was 



FREDERICKSBURG. 101 

forced to suspend exactly one year before on account of 
its loyal sentiments. Until tlie retrograde movement of 
tlie enemy, three secession sheets were issued here. The 
advent of the northerners soon made a marked difference 
in the appearance of the town, they opening stores, res- 
taurants, bakeries, etc. ; in front of which were displayed 
numerous American flag^s. Althous-h the streets were 
thronged with soldiers, we did not hear of any insult 
being offered to any of the inhabitants. 

On the day of our crossing, General Eeynolds was 
appointed Military Governor, and such was the course of 
his administration as not only to receive the warm thanks 
of the Mayor and Council, but when he was taken pris- 
oner at the battle of Gaines Mill, they sent a deputation 
to Richmond to intercede for his release. 

On the 26th, Henry Webb of " F," our detached bat- 
tery company, was drowned. 

On the same day our advance posts were eight miles 
from the town and on the 29th our cavalry advanced 
twenty miles beyond, skirmishing and driving the enemy. 
On the 30th, the regiment was paid off by Major Pom- 
eroy, and the same night orders were received to have 
one day's cooked rations in haversacks. The next 
mornimz: at eisrht o'clock the men were ordered to fall in 
without knapsacks, but at noon orders came to pack up 
all, and passing through Fredericksburg, crossed the 
river to the east side, where our artillery was posted 
upon the high banks, and we moved about a half mile 
back to the vacated camp of the Twenty-second New 
York. 

The cause of this movement was : it being ascertained 
the enemy under General Anderson had moved toward 
Richmond, destroying the bridges in his rear, and on 
account of the weakening of our forces, by sending re- 
enforcements to General Banks, we were unable to 
follow him, it was determined to place the Rappahan- 
nock between us and them, so as to spare reenforcements 
to McClellan. 



102 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

About this time our brigade was furnisbed with white 
linen leggings and orders issued requiring the men to 
have two pairs of shoes/'" The officers here took lessons 
in sword exercise from a Mr. O'Eouke, who was the only 
Irishman we ever met who was base enough to deny his 
nationality. On the 4th of June the river became so 
swollen from the effects of continued rains that fears 
were entertained for the safety of the bridges, and as a 
matter of precaution the pontoon was taken up, but in 
the afternoon the pile or trestle bridge being unable to 
resist the pressure, gave way, and was swept down the 
river, where its timbers coming in contact with the rail- 
road bridge, carried it away also, and the wreck of both 
coming in contact with the canal boats, broke them from 
their moorings, destroying the bridge that rested upon 
them, sending them drifting down the river. The gun- 
boats fortunately were enabled to get out of the way, and 
succeeded in recovering^ them all. As soon as it was 
known in the city that our bridges were in danger, the 
inhabitants of both sexes collected upon the shore, and 
as each structure gave way they demonstrated their joy 
by loud cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs. 

On Sunday morning, the 8th, orders were received to 
prepare to march, and after spending the day in cooking 
rations and making other necessary arrangements, at 
sunset we struck tents, packed knapsacks and got into 
line. It was a clear and beautiful moonlight night, and 
as the brigade bands pealed forth their soul-inspiring airs 
we marched off, winding our way through the woods and 
over the hill to the Rappahannock, down which we 
marched the distance of seven miles, bivouacking at two 
o'clock that night in Cedar lane. The next morning 
after cooking breakfast we marched to Gray's landing, 

* The object of this order was to decrease the transportation of 
the Division Quartermaster Department, and as Captain Hall did not 
carry a kliapsack on tjie march he doubtless considered it a brilliant 
idea. Nine-tenths of the shoos were thrown away by the men on 
the march. 



EMBARK FOR THE PENINSULA. 103 

one mile distant, where were collected a fleet of steam- 
boats to receive us. Bj four o'clock our wagons, baggage 
and supplies were embarked, and marching aboard we 
hauled out into the stream. Soon after General Reynolds 
pushed off in a skiff, and was received with loud cheers, 
when our bands striking up we steamed down the river, 
as happj a set of blue coats as ever trod this planet. At 
sundown we came to anchor off Port Royal, where we 
remained all night, as we had no pilot. The steamer 
Canonicus was a fine large boat, but as she had our regi- 
ment and five companies of the First and Eighth, aboard, 
she was rather crowded, and by the time we all got our- 
selves laid out for the night, there was scarcely a square 
foot of deck unoccupied. 

The next morning at five o'clock we weighed anchor, 
and again started on, accompanied by the ferry boat 
Chancellor Livingston, and about one P. M., came to 
anchor near the mouth of the river, where the rest of the 
flotilla soon afterwards arrived. The day had been a 
stormy one, but as the wind lulled in the course of a few 
hours, we again got under way, and passing into Chesa- 
peake bay, headed to the south and at sunset entered the 
York river, passing by Yorktown and Gloucester City 
and coming to anchor during the night off West Point 
at the confluence of the Pamunkoy and Mattapony rivers. 
Early on the 11th we again got under way and entering 
the Pamunkey, steamed rapidly up it. This river winds 
through a low, flat country, and on account of its exceed- 
ingly crooked course, it was interesting to watch our 
flotilla with their bows sometimes pointing in every 
direction. In fact when a strange steamer was discerned, 
it was impossible to tell whether she was going up or 
down the river, and when one was but a half mile I'roni 
lis in a direct line she was many times that distance off 
by the river. A " dark," who had resided in the neigh- 
borhood, it was said, answered that it was so crooked in 
some places that it was impossible to cross it, as no 
matter how often one rowed over, he would invariably 



104 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

find himself on the same side. We soon commenced 
meeting Government transports, mostly steamers and 
schooners laden with forage for the cavalry and artil- 
lery. The farther we ascended the more numerous they 
became, nntil they numbered hundreds lining the banks 
of the river for a long distance and obstructing the navi- 
gation. About nine o'clock we arrived at the White 
House, where we landed and stacked arms, awaiting 
orders. 

White House is situated on the Pamunkey, where the 
Eichmond and York Eiver Kailroad crosses, and was a 
position of great importance, being the depot of supplies 
for the army in front of Eichmond. The house itself is 
an object of interest, being the spot where Washington 
met and loved Martha Custis in 1758. At the landing 
there was a forest of masts, and for a half mile the shore 
was covered with commissary stores and ammunition. 
There were thousands of tons on the wharf boats, and 
thousands more awaiting to be landed. There were 
many commissary, sutler, guard and other tents there, 
and many soldiers, sutlers. Government employees and 
contrabands, who, with innumerable wagons and order- 
lies, continually moving to and fro, and the arrival and 
departure of trains presented a scene of life and activity. 
Some distance back from the river was a canvas town, 
consisting of several hundred hospital tents, arranged in 
regular streets, with board floors and beds in them, and 
every thing prepared for the wounded of the coming 
battles. 

The boys having had time to wash themselves and 
replenish their stock of tobacco, the brigade formed and 
marc'hed up the railroad about two miles, passing an 
establishment "for the embalming the dead," whose pro- 
prietors distributed to their anticipated customers a 
Ijountiful siipply of handbills. Moving into a field to 
the left, we bivouacked for the night. Here our baggage 
was reduced to the lowest possible amount, the officers 
being required to send. to the landing all but a small 



DISPATCH STATION". 105 

valise or knapsack, and the companies being allowed 
tlieir cooking utensils only. Orders were issued to cook 
three days' rations, we borrowins; from the First and 
Fifth kettles for the purpose. 

At nine o'clock the next morning, we formed and 
marched off up the railroad which runs nearly due west 
from here, passing Tunstall's Station. The country 
through which we moved was mostly loW; heavily 
wooded, and interspersed with numerous swamps. In 
some places where there were deep cuts, there were 
large deposits of marine shells and corals that indicated 
that at onfe time this portion of the Peninsula had been 
the bed of the sea. The same formation was found in 
other portions of the Peninsula. The day being exces- 
sively warm many of the men threw away their over- 
coats and blankets to lighten their loads. About four 
o'clock we passed Dispatch Station and moved to the 
right of the road and encamped on the edge of a. heavy 
wood near the Chickahominy river, we having marched 
ten miles. Through the day we heard the slow fire of 
heavy guns. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Siege of YopwKtown. Battle of Williamsburg, Skirmishes 
AT Seven Pi^es, Coi-d Harbor and Mechanicsytlle. Bat- 
tle OF Hanover Court House. Battle op Fair Oaks. 
Attack on Tunstall's Station. 'March to the Chicka- 
hominy. Nanaley's Mill. Shelling the Enemy. Battle 
of Oak Grove. 

Before proceeding further, it will be necessary hero 
to refer to the movements of the Army of the Potomac 
since its debarkation on the Peninsula. The presence 
of the enemy's steamer Merimac in the James river 
closed it to us, as a line of water communication be- 



106 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

tween Forlress Monroe and the army operating against 
Eicliraond. To gain possession of the York river and 
its tributaries for that purpose, the reduction of York- 
town was necessary. Tlierefore, on the 4th of April, the 
army took up its line of march from the camping ground 
near Hampton to that point. At Big Bethel the enemy's 
pickets were encountered, but they fell back to Howard's 
creek, to which point they were followed by the main 
body of the army. 

The Siege of Yorktown, April 5tii to May 4tpi, 
1862. — The next mornins^ the column aorain advanced, 
and in a few hours was in front of the enemy's works at 
Yorktown. On examination of their position it proved 
to be one of the strongest that could be opposed to an 
invading force, and the delays thereby created occupied 
until the 1st of May, when our siege batteries opened 
fire on the enemy's works, which during the night of 
the 3d they evacuated, leaving two 8 -inch rifled cannon, 
two 4|-inch rifled cannon, sixteen 32-pounders, six 42- 
pounders, nineteen 8-inch Columbiads, four 9- inch Dahl- 
grens, one 10-inch Columbiad, one 10-inch mortar, and 
one 8-inch siege howitzer, with carriages and implements 
complete, and seventy-six rounds of ammunition to each 
piece. Besides these there were a large number of guns 
left at Gloucester Point and other works on the left. 

Battle of Williamsburg, May 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th. 
— Greneral McClellan immediately threw all his cavalry 
and horse-artillery in pursuit, under General Stoneman, 
Chief of Cavalry, supported by infantry under Generals 
Heintzelman, Hooker and Smith, who were followed by 
the divisions of Kearney, Couch and Casey, all under 
General Sumner, the second in command of the army. 
Two miles east of Williamsburg, the advance came upon 
the enemy's works, four miles in extent, over two-thirds 
of their front being covered by the branches of College 
and Queen's Creeks. The principal works were Fort 
Magruder, and twelve other redoubts and epaulements 
for field guns. The woods in front of the fort were felled, 



BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. 107 

and tlie open ground dotted with rifle pits. From this 
position the enemy opened fire upon the advance guard 
as it debouched from the woods, which being unsup- 
ported by infantry, was forced to retire, but held the 
enemy in check until the arrival of General Sumner with 
part of Sniith's division, at half-past five P. M. Ileint- 
zelman and Keyes reached the ground during the after- 
noon. Early the next morning General Hooker came 
up, and began the attack on the enemy's works at seven 
and-a-half o'clock on the morning of the 6th, and for a 
time silenced Fort J^Iagruder. Although the enemy was 
heavily reinforced, and attacked in turn, capturing five 
guns and inflicting heavy loss on Hooker, whose ammu- 
nition was nearly exhausted, he maintained his position 
until near four P. M., when Kearney arrived, and repuls- 
ing the enemjr^ held possession of the ground that night. 
The battle was renewed the next day, and about four 
P. M., General McClellan arriving from Yorktown, took 
command in person. Fearing there was no direct com- 
munication between the centre and left under Heintzel- 
man, and hearing heavy firing in the direction of Han- 
cock's command, he moved the centre forward, attempting 
to open communication with Heintzelman, and sent Smith 
and Kaglee to the support of Hancock. Before these 
Generals reached Hancock, however, he was confronted 
by a superior force. Feigning to retreat slowly, he 
av.^aited the onset, and then turned upon them, and after 
some terrific volleys of musketry, he charged them with 
the bayonet, routing and dispersing their whole force, 
killing, wounding and capturing from five to six hun- 
dred men, himself losing only thirty-one men. 

The enemy having fought to gain time to save their 
trains, abandoned their position during the night, leaving 
the town filled with their wounded in charge of eighteen 
surgeons. The ofiicial report of our loss is put down at 
two thousand two hundred and twenty-eight men killed, 
wounded and missing. The army was so much exhausted 
by the marches and conflicts which resulted in the vie- 



108 OUR CA^EPAIGNS. 

tory at Williamsburg, as to render an immediate pursuit 
of the enemy impossible, in the condition of the country. 

The divisions of Franklin, Sedgwick, ' Porter and 
Eichardson, were sent from Yorktown by water to the 
vicinity of West Point, where, on the 7th, General 
Franklin handsomely repulsed the enemy under General 
Whiting, after a battle of nearly five hours duration. 

Communication was soon opened between the two 
columns of the army, and headquarters was established 
at White House on the 16th, General Stoneman having 
occupied the place some days before. About the same 
time Generals Franklin, Smith and Porter, reached White 
House, the roads being in such a state as to require 
thirty-six hours for one train to move five miles. 

A permanent depot for supplies being established at 
White House, the army was pushed forward along the 
York Eiver and Richmond Railroad, and on the 20th 
the advance reached the banks of the Chickahominy 
River at Bottom's Bridge, which, as well as the railroad 
bridge about a mile above, they found destroyed. The 
operations of the army embraced that portion of the river 
between this point and Meadow Bridge, which covered 
the principal approaches to Richmond from the east, and 
over which it became necessary to construct eleven new 
bridges, all long and difficult, with extensive log- way 
approaches. 

On the 22d, headquarters were removed to Cold Har- 
bor, and on the 2-lth three important skirmishes took 
place. General Naglee made a reconnoissance in force, 
for the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the enemy, 
and dislodge them from a position in the vicinity of the 
'' Seven Pines," eight miles from Richmond. Another 
portion of the army had a spirited engagement of two 
hours near Cold Harbor, and drove their assailants from 
the field. A third and brilliant little skirmish took place 
between the brigades of General Stoneman and Davidson, 
in which they drove the enemy out of Mechanicsville 
with their artillery, forcing them to seek safety on the 



BATTLE OF HANOVER COUET HOUSE. 109 

opposite banks of the ChickaLominy. tliey destroying the 
bridge in their retreat. General Stoneman also sent a 
portion of his cavalry three miles np the river, and de- 
stroyed the bridge of the Richmond and Fredericksburg 
Railroad. 

The Battle of Hanover Court llo\js>-E,j\Iay27ih. — 
Having ascertained that the enemy were in force in the 
vicinity of Hanover Court House, threatening the right 
and rear -of our army, General McClellan dispatched 
General Porter to dislodge them, for Avhich purpose he 
moved at daybreak on the 27th. After a^ fatiguing 
march of fourteen miles through the mud and rain, 
General Emory arrived in position and opened the battle 
about noon, driving the enemy before him. The other 
columns soon after became engaged, and the enemy Avere 
defeated and routed with the loss of some two hundred 
killed, seven hundred and thirty prisoners, a 12 -pound 
howitzer, a caisson, a large number of small arms, and 
two railroad trains. Our loss amounted to fifty-three 
killed, and three hundred and forty-four wounded and 
missing. The enemy's camp was also captured and de- 
stroyed. The next day detachments were sent out, 
which destroyed the railroad bridges over the Pamunky, 
the railroad bridges of the Virginia Central, and of the 
Predericksburg and Richmond roads, and the country 
bridges over the South- Anna. These operations for a 
time cleared our right flank and rear, and cut off commu- 
nication by rail with Fredericksburg, and with Jackson 
via Gordonsville, excepting by the circuitous route of 
Lynchburg. 

On the 28th of May our troops were pushed forward to 
Pair Oaks, their advance bein^ met with sharp opposi- 
tion, and on the 30th their positions on the south side of 
the Chickahominy were as follows : Casey's division on 
the right of the Williamsburg road, at right-angles to it, 
the centre at Pair. Oaks ; Couch's division at the Seven 
Pines ; Kearney's division on the railroad, from near 
Savage's Station towards the bridge ; Hooker's division 



110 our. CAMPAIGXS. 

on the borders of White Ocak Swamp. During the night 
of the 30th, a violent storm occurred, the rain falling in 
torrents, making the roads almost impassable, and 
threatening the destruction of the bridges over the 
Chickahominy. 

The Battle of Fair Oaks. — The enemy perceiving 
the imfavorable position in which our army was placed, 
and the possibility of destroying that part of it which 
was apparently cut off" from the main body by the rap- 
idly rising stream, the next day threw an overwhelming 
force upon the position occupied by Casey's division. 
The battle opened about one o'clock P. M., the attack 
being made simultaneously upon the front and both 
flanks. The unequal contest was maintained with great 
gallantry, the troops struggling against the overwhelming 
masses of the enemy, for the space of three hours, before 
reinforcements arrived, and were finally driven from the 
field with heavy loss, and the position occupied by Casey 
taken by the enemy. During this time the troops of 
Heintzelman, Kearney, Sumner, Keyes, Couch and Sedg- 
wick, were engaged, and in a measure retrieved the 
disaster of the day, and Avhen night closed the contest, 
the enemy fell back to their defensive line. 

During the night our lines were newly formed, and 
artillery placed in position, and at five o'clock the next 
morning, June 1st, the battle was again renewed. The 
enemy boldly advanced without skirmishers, with two 
columns of attack supported by infantry in line of battle 
on each side, apparently determined to carry all before 
him by one crushing blow. He was met, however, with 
gallant resistance, and through the fierce battle he was 
driven back at every point, our troops pushing forward 
to the extreme lines held by them the day before, re- 
covering their own wounded and capturing the enemy's. 
Our total loss was five thousand seven hundred and 
thirty-seven, and of the enemy, per their official report, 
six thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. 

The only communication between the two banks of 



tu:^Stall's statiox. Ill 

the Cbickaliominy were Bottom's, New and Mechanics- 
ville bridges, the two Luter being completely enfiladed 
by the enemy's batteries 'upon the commanding heights 
opposite, supported by strong forces, having numerous 
rifle-pits in their front, which would have made it 
necessary to have fought a sanguinary battle, with not 
a certain prospect of success, before a passage could 
have been secured. Therefore, to have advanced on 
Richmond soon after the battle, it would have been 
necessary to march the troaps from Mechanicsville and 
other points on the north bank of the Chickahominy 
down to Bottom's bridge and thence to Fair Oaks, a dis- 
tance of twenty-three miles, which in the condition of 
the roads would have required two days to accomplish 
with artillery, by which time the enemy would have 
been secure within his entrenchments,, but five miles 
distant. 

On the 13th of June we rested. In the afternoon 
orders were received to be prepared to move at daylight 
the next morning. Soon after orders were issued to 
move immediately, then orders came to draw five days' 
rations, three of which were to be cooked and two put 
in the knapsacks. By the time we had got through, 
about eleven, news was received that an attack had been 
made upon "Tunstall's Station," in our rear, and our 
briiJ-ade was ordered oat. The nicdit was a beautiful 
inoonlio'ht one, and after a march of eif^^ht miles we 
reached there, but the enemy had left. The ''Back- 
tails," Fifth and Eighth were posted on the different 
roads, and we ordered to occupy a commanding position 
and hold the station. 

It appears that two squadrons of the Fifth United 
States Cavalrv, under the command of Captain Royall, 
stationed near Hanover Old Church, Avere attacked and 
overpowered by a force of the enjniy's cavalry, number- 
ing^- about one thousand live hundred men, with foar 
guns, who pushed on towards the White House in hopes 
of destroying the stores and shipping there, but the for- 



112 . OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

tunate arrival of tlie Third Brigade of Eesorves frus- 
trated their design. Upon the enemy's arrival at the 
station a portion of them dismounted and awaited the 
arrival of the train^ upon which they fired, killing one 
man and wounding several others. The engineer imme- 
diately put on steam and succeeded in running the train 
through. After this they set fire to the station-house 
and a car loaded with grain, and then tearing up a rail 
retired to a neighboring wood to await the arrival of 
another train now due. Upon the arrival of our brigade, 
however, they skedaddled. 

The next morning a number of laborers, who had 
escaped and hid themselves in the woods came in, as 
also Colonel G. B. Hall, Second Excelsior Brigade, who 
fell from a platform car and was captured by the enemy. 
They bound his hands together and tied him to the 
stirrup of one of the men, but during the confusion of 
their skedaddle upon our arrival, he managed to give 
them the slip. The bodies of two or three poor laborers 
Avho had been wantonly killed were found and buried. 
Near the station they captured and burnt a number of 
Government and sutler wagons, from which they got 
considerable liquor, and some of them indulging rather 
freely, they were found lying around loose in the woods 
next morning and brought in. A Dutch butcher of 
Eichmond came riding in, in a most glorious state of 
felicity, tickled half to death with the fun of the night 
before, which he related to us with great gusto, and pro- 
posed taking a drink with any one who had liquor, and 
shooting the Yixnkee prisoners. The terror of the poor 
devil upon discovering his mistake, almost instantly 
sobered him, and the boys, after frightening him to their 
hearts' content "bucked and gagged" him, and turned 
him over to the guard. 

The day being excessively hot, we were moved across 
the railroad to a wood upon a hill, where we remained 
until the next morning. Daring the night companies K 
and H, Captain Smith and Lieutenant Kennedy were 



TO THE CHICKAHOMINY. 113 

sent on picket, and Lieutenants Jack and Black were 
sent out with detachments to scour the woodS; the latter 
returning with five prisoners. 

On Sunday the 15th, the enemy having all disap- 
peared, we returned to our former camping ground, the 
weather being oppressively hot and the men straggling- 
much. The entire" damage done by the enemy, besides 
that referred to above, was the killing of several of the 
guard and teamsters at Garlick's Landing, and the burn- 
ing of two schooners laden with forage, they making the 
entire circuit of the army, repassing the Chickahominy 
at Long Bridge. It is somewhat remarkable that this 
raid was commanded by Fitz Hugh Lee, and executed a 
few days after the return of his mother to Eichmond, 
from a visit to the White House, where she had been 
furnished with a pass and escort by General Fitz John 
Porter, who was a welcomed guest to her hospitalities 
prior to the war. 

More effectually to conceal from the enemy our posi- 
tions and numbers, orders were issued prohibiting the 
sounding of all calls, and ordering the tying to trees of 
any who discharged their pieces. Every morning early 
the enemy opened on our fatigue parties at work on the 
bridges, which the boys said v/as "Jeff calling the roll." 

On the afternoon of the ] 6th the division was formed 
at five o'clock to receive General McClellan, but we were 
disappointed, and after waiting an hour we returned to 
our quarters. The next day we formed at nine, A. M,, 
to receive the general, and remained in position until 
twelve, M., and reformed at six, when orders were read 
to us to march the next morninof, which were received 
with enthusiasm. During the evening we were busy 
cooking rations, and at three the next morning, com- 
panies B and A, Captains McDonough and Neide were 
recalled from picket. At five o'clock we moved off in a 
northwesterly direction parallel with the Chickahominy, 
and after marching eight miles encamped about noon 
near Gaines' House, and about three hundred yards from 



114 OUK CAMPAIGNS. 

the river. Our bivouac was on an opening to the lef 
of the road, and between us and the river was a heavy 
woods, from the edge of which we could see the enemy 
on the other side busy at work. In the afternoon they 
opened with artillery on the workmen on the New bridge, 
to which the Eeserve artillery responded, and with the 
exception of one man wounded and a gun dismounted, 
no damage was done our side. This artillery practice 
and skirmishing was of daily occurrence. 

The next morning, the 19th, at day break we moved 
oft* to Eilerson's mills, on the river road where it crosses 
Beaver Dam creek, about one and a half miles distance, 
where we remained some time, and then counter-march- 
ing and moving to the left we bivouacked in an oat-field 
near a woods, where the Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry 
(Rush's Lancers) were encamped. The same afternoon 
Mr. Hall made an ascension in one of Professor Lowe's 
balloons near our camp, for the purpose of reconnoiter- 
ing, but the enemy opening upon him from one of their 
batteries, he thought it prudent to postpone his aerial ■ 
operations. Early the next morning we moved back 
about one mile to Nanaley's mill, where we encamped 
between the house and the road near a fine wood and a 
large mill-dam, where the boys enjoyed the luxury of 
bathing. 

Our division upon its arrival was not attached to any 
Army Corps, but was assigned to the extreme right of 
the line, which was considered the post of honor. 

On the 21st, orders were received to hold ourselves in 
readiness, to move night or day, at a moment's notice, 
and each morning to be under arms at three o'clock, and 
remain so until daylight. The same day, Lieutenant 
Fletcher and Sergeant Pidgeon arrived in camp from^ re- 
cruiting service. On the 23rd, we were under arms all 
the afternoon, and loaned our intrenching tools to the 
Fifth. 

Early on the morning of the 24th, we started on picket 
to Mechanics vi lie, about one mile distant, where we found 



ON PICKET. 115 

the Twelfth Eeserves, Colonel John H. Taggart^ four 
companies of Rush's Lancers and Cooper's Battery ; Col- 
onel Taggart, being in command of the line, he being 
the senior of&cer. Our regiment forming the Reserve, 
we laid in the grove back of Dr. Lumkin's house. Me- 
chanicsville lies on- the high ground, overlooking the 
Chickahominy on its north bank, from which it is about 
five hundred yards distance. It consists of a church and 
some fifteen houses, all of which were deserted and per- 
forated by shot and shell. The south bank of the river 
rises gradually for about a half mile, where a long line 
of redoubts and rifle pits front a heavy wood. In the 
centre of the stream is an island, which is connected 
with either shore by a bridge, we holding one end of it, 
and the enemy the other, the island being neutral ground. 
The pickets at this point, although quite near one 
another, remained on good terms, the enemy's relief, 
upon one occasion, presenting arms to Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Mclntire, of the First Reserves, as he was visiting 
one of our posts. We were disposed, at this time, to 
show acts of courtesy to one another, as we daily ex- 
pected to meet in battle. Richmond is but five miles 
distant from Mechanics ville, and from a shed near the 
road-side we could see its spires. One of our officers 
wagered a hundred segars he would be in the city in 
one week — he was, but as a prisoner. 

During the night, the position of our guns were 
changed and General Reynolds required hourly reports 
to be made to him in writing. All passed quietly and 
the next morning we were up and in line at three o'clock. 
There being strong indications of a movement on the part 
of the enemy, about five, P. M., orders were received 
to feel them with our guns, to ascertain, if possible, what 
they were at, and accordingly Cooper's battery threw 
about twenty shells, but without eliciting any response. 
We subsequently ascertained, what we then suspected, 
that they were moving off to our right. The shells, 



116 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

however, dropped beautifully among them, and sent 
their wagons hurriedly down the pike. 

Battle of Oak Grove, June 25th. — While tbis was 
transpiring on our extreme right, a more interesting 
scene was enacting on the left. The bridges and in- 
trenchments being at last completed, an advance of our 
picket line on the left was ordered on the 25th, prepara- 
tory to a general forward movement. General Hooker's* 
division of Heintzelman's corps, Avas pushed forward to 
occupy " Oak Grove," a new and important position in 
front of the most advanced redoubt on the Williamsburg 
road, and while advancing through a dense thicket and 
an almost impassable swamp, was suddenly attacked by 
the enemy, whom they repulsed and drove back. The 
fighting continued off and on during the day, and at sun- 
set our object was accomplished, with the loss of fifty- 
one killed, four hundred and one wounded and sixty-four 
missing, making a total of five hundred and sixteen. 
The enemy's loss was about equal in number. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Strength of the opposing armies. Opening of the Seven 
Days' battles. Battle op Mechanicsville. Battle op 
Gaines' Mills. Ckossing the Chickahominy. 

In" anticipation of a speedy advance on Kichmond, to 
provide for the contingency of our communications with 
the depot at the White House being severed by the 
enemy, and at the same time to prepare for a change 
of the base of our operations to James river, if circum- 
stances should render it advisable, arrangements were 
made on the 18th of June to have transports with sup- 
plies of provisions and forage sent up the James river to 
Harrison's Landing. 

By the report of the chief of the "secret service 



STREXCTIT OF THE ARMIES. 117 

corps/' dated the 26tli of June, the estimate strength of 
the enemy is put down at about one hundred and eighty 
thousand, and the specific information obtained regard- 
ing their organization, warrants the belief that this esti- 
mate did not exceed his actual strength. It is shown 
in the report that there were two hundred regiments of 
infantry and cavalry; including the forces of Jackson and 
Ewell, just arrived ; eight battalions of independent 
troops, five battalions of artillery; twelve companies of 
infantry and independent cavalry, and forty-six comp- 
anies of artillery; amounting in all, to from forty to. 
fifty brigades. There were undoubtedly many others 
whose designations were not known. 

The report also shows that numerous and heavy earth- 
works had been completed for the defence of Richmond, 
and that in thirty -six of these were mounted some two 
hundred guns. 

On the 14th of May, General McClellan in his official 
report states " 3 cannot bring into actual battle against 
the enemy more than eighty thousand men at the ut- 
most." Subsequent to that, he certainly did not receive 
reinforcements of more than ten thousand men, and de- 
ducting from this total of ninety thousand, the losses 
sustained in the three skirmishes of the 24th of May at 
Seven Pines, Cold Harbor and Mechanicsville, and at the 
battles of Hanover Court House and Fair Oaks and 
minor skirmishes, with the usual sickness attendant upon 
the unhealthy position of the army, it may be safely 
stated that the Army of the Potomac did not number 
over eighty thousand fighting men at the opening of the 
Seven Day's battles. 

From information received from spies, contrabands 
and a deserter as early as the 24th, General McClellan 
]iad strong reasons to suppose the enemy meditated an 
attack upon his right and rear, and on the 26th of June, 
the day decided upon for the final advance on Richmond 
the enemy anticipated our movement by attacking our 
army. 



118 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

The Battle of Mechanicsville, June 26tli.— Early 
that day our regiment was relieved by the Fifth Keserve, 
Colonel Simmons, and marched back to camp. At eleven 
o'clock we were ordered under arms, and at twelve, noon, 
just as our dinners were cooked, but before Ave could eat 
them, orders came to fall in with cartridge boxes and 
muskets. Marching up to Mc'hanlcsville we turned to 
the right and moved up the river road to "Shady Grove 
Church," whexe we met the Eighth Illinois cavalry. Col- 
onel Farnsworth, who were being driven in by the enemy 
•who had crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge. 
Colonel McCandless had some time before deployed 
Company B, Captain McDonough, as skirmishers, and 
learning that the enemy were approaching in overpower- 
ing force, he deployed the regiment across the road in 
connection with the Eighth Illinois to produce caution 
on their part, and thus gain time to withdraw to Me- 
chanicsville, where General Eeynolds with the rest of 
our brigade and General Meade with his, were drawn up. 
Three companies of the "Bucktails," under Major La 
Eoy Stone, who were on our left, were surrounded by a 
heavy force of the enemy, but two of them cut their way 
through, company K, being captured. At Mechanics- 
ville the line was again formed, and soon afterwards we 
withdrew to Beaver Dam Creek, where it was determined 
to give battle. 

This position was naturally a strong one, the left rest- 
ing on the Chickahominy and the right extending to 
dense woods (beyond the upper Mechanicsville road) 
which were occupied. The passage of the creek was 
difficult throughout the greater part of the front, and, 
with the exception of the roads crossing at Ellerson's 
Mill, near the left, and that near the right, above men- 
tioned, impracticable for artillery. On the right of the 
last named road an efaidement calculated for four pieces 
of field artillery was thrown up, and rifle-pits constructed 
on the left of the road. 

The line of battle was formed in the fullowinof order 



BATTLE OF MECIIANICSVILLE. 119 

from right to left : On the extreme right was the seven 
companies of the Second regiment, Lieutenant-colonel 
McCandless ; then six companies of the " Bucktails," 
Major Stone with four guns of Cooper's battery in the 
epaulement ; the Fifth regiment, Colonel Simmons in the 
rifle-pits on the left of the road ; the First regiment, 
Colonel Eoberts; the Eighth regiment. Colonel Hays; 
the Tenth regiment, Colonel Kirk ; the Ninth regiment, 
Colonel Jackson ; and the Twelfth regim.eut, .Colonel 
Taggart, which occupied the extreme left. General 
Meade's brigade, which was in reserve, consisted of the 
Third regiment, Colonel Sickel; the Fourth regiment, 
Colonel Magilton ; and the Seventh regifnent, Colonel 
Harvey. Easton's battery of four twelve-pound Napoleon 
guns, and Kern's battery of six twelve pound howitzers, 
were also held in reserve. It should here be mentioned 
that the Sixth regiment, Lieutenant-colonel McKean, 
v\^as detached at Tunstall's Station, and the Eleventh 
regiment. Colonel Gallagher, was on picket on the 
Chickahominy. 

The position of the Second regiment, as before noticed, 
was on the extreme right, with a heavy wood in front 
and a ford near the right of it. Companies K and 11, 
Captain Smith and Lieutenant Kennedy were detached 
under Major Woodward with orders to hold this ford at 
all hazards ; and Company C, Captain Byrnes, was posted 
on the left in a dry swamp between us and the ''Buck- 
tails." 

About three o'clock the enemy's lines were formed on 
the opposite side of the swamp and their skirmishers 
rapidly advanced, delivering their fire as they came 
forward. They were speedily driven back by the artil- 
lery and a rattling reply of musketry. In a short time the 
main body, who were commanded by General Kobert E. 
Lee, in person, boldly advanced in force under cover of 
a" heavy artillery fire, and attacked the whole front. It 
soon became apparent that the main point of their attack 
was the extreme right, upon which they opened a heavy 



120 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

fire of round shot and shell, and precipitated column 
after column of Georgian and Louisiana troops, who 
waded to their middle througli the water, and boldly 
advanced up through the woods. They were received 
by the Second on their knees, with a withering fire, 
which they maintained without a moment's cessation for 
over three hours. During this time, assault after assault 
was made on the position, and upon three separate occa- 
sions the enemy succeeded in forcing themselves between 
us and the "Bucktails," and gaining the clear ground, 
but they were each time driven back at the point of 
the bayonet by charges led in person by Colonel 
McCandless. 

At one time they charged the left and centre at the 
same time, boldly pressing on their flags until they 
nearly met ours, when the fighting became of the most 
desperate character, the flags rising and falling as they 
were surged to and fro by the contending parties, each 
struggling to defend its own, and capture its opponents'. 
Our left was driven back, the enemy at that point having 
passed the woods, bending our line into a convexed 
circle. But never for a moment were we broken. 
McCandless placing himself in front of the left, led it 
valiantly to the charge, hurling the brave Georgia boys 
back, and almost taking their flag. While this was 
going on in our front Major Woodward with his two 
companies was hotly engaged at the ford, the men 
delivering, from behind trees, a slow but destructive fire, 
or pouring in rapid volleys when hard pressed. 

General Keynolds, whose ever-watchful eye was upon 
the regiments of his brigade, several times rode down to 
our position, at one time exclaiming, as he pointed with 
his sword, " Look at them, boys, in the swamp there, they 
are as thick as flies on a ginger bread ; fire low, fire low." 
Just before dark, when we had driven back their last 
charge, knowing we had expended nearly all our ammu- 
nition, he ordered up the First Eeserve, Colonel Koberts, 
who, in line of battle on our left and rear, opened fir 



BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE. 121 

but soon after forming in colnmn of division and ad- 
vancing deployed and opened again on the retreating 
masses. At the same time Kern's battery of six twelve - 
pounder howitzers supported by the Third Eeserve, 
Colonel Sickel, took position some three hundred yards 
to our right, and we moved to the right to give play to 
the gunS; which opened a most terrible fire of shell upon 
the confused and broken masses of the enemy on the 
opposite side of the swamp. Colonel McCandless here 
offered to storm a battery posted opposite to us across 
the swamp, if support was given to him, which being 
promised, we moved down the road on our right to the 
ford held by Major Woodward, bat the promised sup- 
port luckily failing to come, the attempt was abandoned, 
and the regiment was deployed on the edge of the swamp 
and again opened fire. The musketry soon after ceased, 
but the artillery fire was continued until nine o'clock at 
night when the battle ceased, and the Eeserves slept on 
the field of victory. Griffin's brigade and Edward's battery 
were also sent to the right to our support, but they with 
the Third regiment did not become engaged. 

About five o'clock a most determined attempt was 
made by the enemy to force the left at Ellerson's Mill, 
but they were gallantly repulsed by General Seymour, 
who drove back column after column that was hurled 
against him. 

The prisoners taken by our regiment, mostly by com- 
panies H and K, numbered fifteen, and were utterly 
surprised at the smallness of the force that was opposed 
to them, and expressed their full confidence, if permitted 
to rejoin their comrades, that they could return and 
drive us from our position. 

It was here that the most desperate fighting was done, 
our regiment which numbered but three hundred and 
seventy-one, officers and men, losing nearly one-half of 
the number killed, and one-fourth of the killed and 
wounded of the whole division, which numbered about 
seven thousand, including officers. The enemy acknow- 



122 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

ledged the loss of over five hundred men at this point, 
and General McCall puts down their whole strength as 
twenty thousand, and states, in his report, that he 
"learned from official authority, while a prisoner in 
Eichmond, that General Lee's loss, in killed and 
wounded, did not fall short of two thousand ; and that 
the Forty -fourth Georgia lost nearly two-thirds." The 
loss of the division is officially reported at thirty-three 
killed and one ' hundred and fifty wounded. The great 
disproportion in the losses must be attributed to the 
nature of the ground. 

Bat while we rejoiced at the laurels entwined around 
our banners, our hearts were saddened at the fall of our 
comrades whose life blood gushed out upon the field of 
victory.* 

General McCall, in his official report, honorably men- 
tions the conduct of Lieutenant-colonel McCandless and 
the rea-iment during^ the battle. 

During the night ammunition was sent for and distri- 
buted to the men. Companies H, and K, remained at 
the ford ; B, Lieutenant Jack, was thrown out on picket 
to the right, and the rest slept on the field all night. All 
was the stillness of death, not a voice being heard save 
the moaning of the enemy's wounded that came up out 
of the swamp and woods beyond. 

The next morning, long before daybreak, we were in 
line, and the enemy during the night having received 
heavy reinforcements, the attack was again commenced, 
but principally upon the left. The position of Beaver 
Dam Creek, although so successfully defended, had its 
extreme right flank too much exposed, and was too far 
from the main army to make it available to retain it 
longer, therefore, just before daybreak orders were re- 
ceived from General McClellan for us to fall back to the 
rear of Gaines' Mills. To withdraw a large force in 
broad daylight, while under fire, is one of the most deli- 

* See Appendix, A. 



MAKCII TO GAINES' MILLS. 123 

cate and difficult movements in war, particularly in 
presence of a greatly superior force. It, nevertlieless, 
was most successfully accomplished, great caution and 
deliberation being used to screen the movement, and tlie 
troops being withdrawn slowly and at intervals. Meade's 
brigade was the first to move ; then came Griffin's 
brigade and battery, next Eeynold's under cover of the 
Bucktailsand Cooper's guns, and last Seymour's. 

During these movements a scattering lire of artillery 
and musketry was kept up and continued until all was 
bronght out. So «oolly and deliberately was the move- 
ment accomplished that the regiments as they filed past, 
marched as steadily as if coming from the parade ground, 
we burying all our killed and sending off our wounded, 
not leaving a man, gun or musket on the field. 

The retrograde movement at this time was not compre- 
hended by us, and we slowly fell back in good order, 
but in any thing but a good humor, to the point desig- 
nated in rear of Gaines' Mills, where we arrived at ten 
o'clock in the forenoon. On our route we met Cooper's 
battery which we saved the day before from being 
flanked, and the men freely distributed coffee, bread and 
tobacco to our hungry boys who had fasted for twenty- 
four hours. 

The Battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27th.— It 
having been ascertained on the preceding night that the 
enemy was approaching in full force with the intention 
of cutting off our communication with the White House, 
General McClellan determined to carry out his intentions 
of changing his base from the Pamunkey to the James 
Kivers, for which purpose he withdrew the troops on the 
left bank of the Chickahominy to a position around the 
bridge heads where its flanks were reasonably secure, 
and it was within supporting distance of the main army. 
This movement secured the withdrawal of all the heavy 
guns, wagons and stores to the right bank of the river, 
and afforded time to perfect arrangements to secure the 
adoption of the new base. To General Fitz John Porter 



124 OUE CAMPAIGNS. 

with tlie Fifth Corps and all the disposable reinforce- 
ments, was assigned the task of resisting the enemy. 

The line of battle was about an arc of a circle formed 
on the interior edge of the dense woods bounding the 
extensive plain of cleared lands stretching some twelve 
or fifteen hundred yards back of the river. Morell's 
division held the left of the line in a strip of woods on 
the left bank of the Gaines' Mill stream, resting its left 
flank on the descent to the Chickahominy, which was 
swept by our artillery on both sides of the river, and 
extending into open ground on the rright towards Cold 
Harbor. In this line General Butterfield's brigade held 
the extreme left, General Martindale's joined his right, 
and General Griffin, still further to the right, joined the 
left of General Sykes' division, which, partly in woods 
and partly in open ground, extended in the rear of Cold 
Harbor. 

Bach brigade held in reserve two x>f its own regiments. 
General McCall was informed by General Porter, that as 
his division had been engaged till late the previous 
night, and suffered from loss of sleep, and had been 
under fire for some hours in the morning it would be 
held in reserve. It therefore formed the second line, 
occupying the ground some six hundred yards in the 
rear of the first. Meade's brigade on the left near the 
Chickahominy. Eeynold's brigade on the right covering 
the approaches from Cold Harbor and Despatch Station 
to Sumner's Bridge, and Seymour's in reserve to the 
second line, still further in rear. The artillery occupied 
the space between the lines and the cavalry of the di- 
vision, the Fourth Pennsylvania, was placed imder cover 
of a slope in the rear. General P. St. George Cooke, 
with five companies of the Fifth Eegular Cavalry, two 
squadrons of the First Eegular, and three squadrons of 
the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, (Push's Lancers,) was 
posted behind a hill in rear of the position, and near the 
Chickahominy, to aid in watching the left flank and de- 
fending the slope of the river. 



MILLS. 125 

The troops were all in position by noon, with the artil- 
lery on the commanding ground, and in the intervals 
between the divisions and. brigades. Besides these 
division batteries, there was from the artillery reserve 
Tidball's horse battery, posted on ' the right of Syke's 
division, and Eobertson's on the extreme left of the line, 
in the valley of the Chickahominy. Shortly after noon 
the enemy were discovered approaching in force, and it 
soon became evident that the entire position was to be 
attacked. His skirmishers advanced rapidly, and soon 
the firing became heavy along the whole front. At two 
o'clock P. M., General Porter asked for reinforcements. 
By three P. M., the engagement had become so severe, 
and the enemy were so greatly superior in numbers, that 
the entire second line and reserves were moved forward 
to sustain the first line against repeated and desperate 
assaults along the whole front. 

The Second and Third brigades of the Eeserve were 
ordered forward and were soon under fire, in some in- 
stances the regiments going at once into line where 
intervals had been left, while in others they halted 
directly in rear of the line already formed. Our brigade, 
which had laid in a sheltered position behind a hill for 
five hours, with round shot and shell continually whiz- 
zing and bursting over head, was soon after ordered to 
advance. Once more the boys prepared for battle, their 
brave hearts beating with high hopes of victory, and on 
double quick they moved to the edge of a heavy swampy 
woods, where they were halted for a few moments. 

General Reynolds soon rode up, and ordered our regi- 
ment to advance through the wood, clear it out and take up 
a position on its extreme edge. Colonel McCandless not 
entirely liking the order, asked the General's permission 
to move in at right angles to the position assigned to us, 
on the left of it. The General was silent for a moment, 
his face bearing the expression of great perplexity and 
dissatisfaction, when he replied, " Colonel, General Porter 
is fighting the battle on certain parallels, and his orders 



126 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

will have to be obeyed." " I would to God," remarked 
the Colonel afterwards, "I liad not asked him the ques- 
tion, but Lad taken my regiment in by mistake." '' For- 
ward," passed down the line, and moving on we advanced 
into the wood, strewed as it was with the dead and the 
dying, and reaching its outer edge, laid down to await 
the coming storm. 

The First Eeserve lay on our right, the Sixth Eegu- 
lars in our rear, and several other regiments near by. A 
regiment of New York Zouaves were posted in an open 
field about five hundred yards in our front and facing 
us. Easton's battery of Reserves to our front and right 
were firing in the opening between us and parallel to 
our front. The enemy, as we well knew before we 
entered, were on our left flank. We may have been 
judiciously posted, and good soldiers should not think, 
but we could not help noticing that we were in a better 
position to attack our own troops than to inflict damage 
upon the enemy. 

Steadily the solid columns of the foe were advancing 
on our left, their leading lines dressed in our uniform, 
showing no flag and treacherously crying out they were 
our friends, and not to fire upon them. But we-were not 
deceived, and poured into them a left oblique fire with 
good effect. But onward they pressed until almost upon 
"US, when they poured into us a deafening roar of 
musketry, above which the artillery fire at times could 
scarcely be distinguished. Line after line delivered 
their fire, and falling to the ground gave range to those 
behind them. It sounded like one long continuous roar, 
not a susceptible interval being perceived for several 
; minutes. Overpowered, flanked, and with the enemy in. 
our rear, with scattered remnants of other regiments in 
the excitement of the moment firing into us, we broke 
and were scattered throu2,"h the woods, fisrhtin"' the best 
we could from behind trees, until finally we were driven 
headlong out, with our muskets thorouglily heated, and 
our ammunition almost exhausted. 



BATTLE OF GAIXES' MILLS. 127 

We were driven from the woods to the right and par- 
allel with the line we entered on, but did not retire more 
than three hundred yards, before we came to a depressed 
road, where once more we raised our banner to the storm 
and rallied the boys around it. Cut off* from our brigade 
and division, we laid here, and with Easton's batter}^, 
which was directly on our right, held the foe at bay, 
who seeing reinforcements coming up, dared not advance 
into the open field. 

Soon a gallant brigade passed by, with their arms at a 
right shoulder and lines dressed with the precision of a 
parade. Steadily, silently and firm paced, they advanced 
with their glorious banners and glittering bayonets 
gleaming in the sun, and like a mass of living valor en- 
tered the woods and disappeared from sight. Soon their 
loud cheers and volleys told they had met the foe. If 
our brigade had entered the woods as they did, we 
would have met the enemy on our front and not our flank. 

At this time we were ordered into a low woods in the 
rear of Easton's battery, but had not remained there 
long before we were moved to the left on an open field. 
Soon afterwards we were ordered to the right, and fur- 
ther to the rear of the battery. An hour had now passed 
by, and soon a few stragglers were seen flying from the 
woods, and in a few moments the foe burst upon us in 
overwhelming numbers. The guns of Easton's battery 
vomited forth their hail of double-shotted canister against 
which it appeared impossible for men to stand, yet on- 
ward with undaunted bravery the enemy pressed, closing 
up their vast gaps and sweeping everything before them. 
The gallant Easton was killed, his brave cannoniers bay- 
oneted at their guns, the majority of the horses disabled, 
and, despite the most heroic resistance, the battery was 
taken. A dozen or fifteen horses cut loose from the 
battery, dashed through our line followed closely by the 
enemy, and again driven, we slowly and sullenly, but in 
good order retreated down over the fields, under a mur- 
derous fire that brought many a brave man to the ground. 



128 OUE CAMPAIGNS 

Having readied a position wliose sloping ground afforded 
some slight protection, Colonel McCandless rallied the 
men and reformed the line, collecting a large number of 
stragglers from different regiment, and soon after Colonel 
Simmons of the Fifth Eeserve appeared and took charge. 
A squadron of Eush's Lancers and a squadron of Indiana 
cavalry, now came up and formed in our rear, and Gen- 
eral McCall stopped two batteries that were in retreat 
and bringing them into battery opened upon the enemy, 
who just then appeared on the opposite hillside, and 
checked their advance at this point. 

Soon after French's and Meagher's brigades came up, 
and the fire of the batteries was stopped as they passed 
down the hill in front, but upon their reaching the foot 
of it, they were met by General Porter, who halted them, 
as the enemy had retired from view and the sun was 
setting. 

The other regiments and brigades of the Eeserve 
fought with great gallantry, the First and Eighth being 
relieved and brought out by General Eeynolds, and the 
Fifth retiring only when their ammunition was exhausted. 
The Eleventh, Colonel Gallagher, having relieved the 
Fourth New Jersey, Colonel Simpson, while engaged by 
the enemy became so completely enveloped in the smoke 
of the battle as not to observe the rest of the line had 
retired, and being completely surrounded by a vastly 
superior force of the enem}^, the major part of them and 
the Fourth New Jersey were captured, bat no censure 
whatever, was attached to either of the gallant com- 
manders of the regiments. 

About eight o'clock, the battle ceased and we were 
moved some distance towards the rear, near a field hospital 
where the wounded were being continually brought in 
for surgical treatment, after which they were laid upon 
the grass, a blanket thrown over them, iind a canteen of 
water put by their side, where some slept and others 
died. The poor fellows displayed most heroic fortitude, 
and though many of them were horribly mangled and 



CROSSING THE CHICKAIIOMINY. ■'■131 

suffering intense pain, only suppressed murmurs escaped 
their lips. All of our regiment were collected and laid 
together, and were cared for by their comrades until we 
moved. While the surgeons were at work by the flick- 
ering light of candles, the ruthless enemy opened fire 
upon them with shell, but they contipued, hiding the 
lights as best they could with their caps and bodies. 

Through the night General Reynolds was surprised, 
with Captain Charles Kingbury, his Assistant Adjutant- 
general, and taken prisoner by the enemy. The com- 
mand of our brigade, therefore, devolved upon Colonel 
Simmons of the Fifth Reserve. 

The number of troops engaged on our side was not 
more than thirty-five thousand men, and that of the 
enemy has been computed to be from seventy to seventy- 
five thousand men. The loss on our side was heavy, but 
as no general returns were made until after the Seven 
Days' battle, the losses during the series of battles were 
estimated together. The number of guns captured by 
the enemy on the field were nineteen, and three were lost 
by being run off the bridge during the final withdrawal. 

Although we were finally forced from the first line 
after the enemy had been repeatedly driven back, yet 
the object sought for had been attained. The enemy 
was held at bay, our siege guns and material were saved, 
and the right wing could now be withdrawn and joined 
to the main body of the army.* 

The wearied and exhausted men who had fought for 
two days, and many of them without a mouthful to eat, 
threw themselves upon the ground and sank to sleep 
with their cartridge boxe^ strapped upon them and their 
muskets in their hands. But their slumbers were of 
short duration, as soon orders came to wake them up 
and get into line without noise. It was hard work to 
rouse the sleepy boys, it being necessary to roll some of 
them over, shake them, pound them, and even to lift 



* See Appendix A. 
9 



128- 



OUR CAMPAIGN'S. 



'them upon their feet. Having got the men in line, our 
division waited here until near morning to cover the 
withdrawal of the army from the left bank of the Chicka- 
hominy, and then crossing the bridge opposite Trent's 
Hill about seven o'clock we blew it up ; moving on about 
a mile and a half we halted on Trent's Hill, where we 
laid during the 28th. 



CHAPTEE XIY. 



Change of Base. March to the James River. Battle of 
Allen's Farm. Battle of Savage's Station. A Night on 
Picket. The Battle of Glendale. The River reached. 

While the battle of Gaines' Mills or Chickahominy 
was progressing on the left bank of the river, the enemy 
were not idle on the right bank, they having a large 
force between our left wing and Eichmond showing their 
numerical superiority. Sharp musketry and artillery 
fighting took place there, along nearly the whole of the 
line, which was threatened by such heavy masses that 
the corps commanders deemed their forces were smaller 
than were adequate to the emergency. Therefore, to 
have sent more reinforcements to Porter would have 
imperilled the movement across the Peninsula. After 
the battle it was necessary to unite the two wings of the 
army which could have been done on either bank of the 
river, but if it had been on the left bank, although our 
united force could have defeated the enemy and have 
marched to the White House, as they held the roads 
leading there, our supply trains could not have been 
sent in advance of the army, but would have had to fol- 
low us, and the guarding of these trains would have 
seriously embarrassed our operations in battle. We 
would have been immediately followed by the enemy on 
the Eichmond side of the river, who would have operated 



KATIOXS SERVED. 131 

on our rear, and if we had been defeated, we would have 
been forced to fall back to tlie White House and pro- 
bably to Fort Monroe ; and, as both our flanks and rear 
would then have been entirely exposed, our entire sup- 
ply train, if not the greater part of the army, might have 
been lost. The enemy anticipated this movement on 
our part and were prepared to take advantage of it, but 
they were disappointed. 

When our army was concentrated on the Eichmond 
side of the Chickahominy, and a large portion of the 
enemy were drawn away and separated from them by 
the river, we could have marched directly upon the city 
with very reasonable hopes of capturing it, but as the 
amount of rations we had with us was very limited and 
the enemy could at any time have severed our commu- 
nications with the supply depot at the White House, 
our victory might have been turned into disaster. It is 
therefore clear that the movements of General McClellan 
were dictated by sound military judgment. 

During the day, rations, of which we were greatly in 
need, as some of the men had been forty-eight hours 
without food, were received and issued, but- as we had 
left every thing in our camp near Mechanicsville, which 
was subsequently burnt by order of General McCall, we 
had no haversacks. However, as soldiers are never at a 
loss for ways and means, they substituted the extremi- 
ties of their shirts which answered most admirably. The 
same day our most e£S.cient Quartermaster, Dr. Chas. F. 
Hoyt, was promoted Captain and Commissary of Subsist- 
ence of the brigade vice Captain Jas. B. Clow. 

We remained on an open field under a broiling sun 
during the 28th, which really afforded but indifferent 
rest, as we could not sleep, except as Montezuma on his 
bed of roses, and at nine o'clock that night, during a 
drenching rain, we moved off towards White Oak Creek. 
Our division took with it Hunt's Eeserve Artillery, con- 
sisting of thirteen batteries, which with our own trains 
extended the column many miles in length, and as our 



182 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

flanks were constantly exposed to attacks, tlie Third 
Brigade was placed by regiments between tlie batteries, 
to afford them support. 

Our movement, owing to narrow and bad roads, was 
necessarily slow, and all night long we toiled through 
dark woods and swamps unable to see but a few feet on 
either side of us. While thus moving, one of the wagon 
guard of the Fourth Eeserve, stepped into the woods a 
little way and his musket being accidentally discharged 
he was mistaken for a foe, and a number of shots fired at 
him. This frightening some of the teams, they dashed 
in among us, which, with the unexplained firing, for a 
time created considerable excitement. 

About daybreak we reached Savage's Station, on the 
York Eiver and Eichmond Eailroad, where we found 
hundreds of wagons and ambulances almost choking the 
roads and covering the fields in every direction. Here 
were collected vast piles of commissary and quartermas- 
ter'^ stores, which were opened and the men allowed to 
take whatever they wanted. "We also found here a 
large number of wounded of the preceding battles, and 
among them were our own, many of whom were subse- 
quently taken prisoners. The boys went to see them 
and did all they could for them, improvising crutches 
for such as could hobble off, and giving water and money 
to those who had to remxain. There was also a large 
amount of ammunition here which was later in the day 
loaded on twelve cars and with an engine run into the 
Chickahominy, a fuse being attached, and so well timed 
as to blow the whole up at the proper instant. Moving 
on past the station, we met a large number of prisoners 
captured during the battles, and about noon we crossed 
White Oak Creek Bridge, some distance beyond which 
General McCall was ordered to place his division in posi- 
tion to repel any attack by the enemy from the direction 
of Eichmond. It was here we learned that General 
McClellan had caused to be read to the army a compli- 
mentary return of thanks to the Pennsylvania Eeserves 



BATTLE OF ALLEN's FARM. 133 

for tlieir conduct at Meclianicsville, in defeating and 
holding a vastly superior force in check, until he could 
perfect"^ his arrangements for the withdrawal from the 
left bank of the river. 

Before proceeding further, we will detail the general 
events of the day. The essential operation was the pas- 
sage of our trains across the swamp, and their protection 
against attack from the direction of Eichmond, and the 
establishment of our communication with the gunboats 
on James river. For this purpose the corps of Sumner ^ 
and Heintzelman, and the division of Smith were ordered 
to an interior linC; with their right resting on Savage's 
Station. ' 

Battle of. Allen's Farm, June 29th.— (jenerai 
Sumner evacuated his works at Fair Oaks at daylight, 
and marched his command to Orchard Station, halting 
at Allen's field, between Orchard and Savage Stations. 
The divisions of Kichardson and Sedgwick were formed 
on the right of the railroad, facing towards Eichmond, 
Eichardson holding the right, and Sedgwick joining the 
right of Heintzelman's corps. The first line of Eichard- 
son's division was held by General French; General 
Caldwell supporting the second. A log building in front 
of Eichardson's division was held by Colonel Brook with 
the Fifty-third Pennsylvania volunteers, with Hazard's 
battery on an elevated piece of ground, a little in the 

rear. . 

At nine o'clock, A. M., the enemy commenced a turi- 
ous attack on the right of General Sedgwick, but were 
repulsed. The left of General Eichardson was next 
attacked, the enemy attempting in vain to carry the posi- 
tion of Colonel Brooks. Captain Hazard's battery, and 
Pettit's battery, which afterwards replaced it, were 
served with great effect, while the Fifty -third Pennsylva- 
nia Volunteers kept np a steady fire on the advancmg 
enemy, compelling them at last to retire in disorder. 
The enemy renewed the attack three times, but were as 
often repulsed. 



134: OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Battle of Savage's Station, June 29th. — During 
tlie morning, General Franklin hearing that the enemy, 
after having repaired the bridges, was crossing the 
Chickahominy in large force, and advancing towards 
Savage's Station, moved Smith's division to that point, 
and communicated the intelligence to General Sumner. 
A little after noon. General Sumner reached the station, 
and united his troops with those of Franklin, and as- 
sumed command. The troops were posted in line of 
battle, in the large open field to the left of the railroad, 
fronting Eichmond, the left resting on the edge of the 
woods, and the right extending down to the railroad. 
General Brooks, with his brigade, held the wood to the 
left of the field, where he did excellent service. General 
Hancock's brigade was thrown into the woods on the 
right and front. About four in the afternoon, the enemy 
advanced upon the Williamsburgh road and commenced 
the attack in large force. They were gallantly mxt by 
General Burns' brigade, supported and reinforced by the 
reserve, and the Sixty -ninth New York Volunteers and 
Hazard's and Pettit's batteries. The other batteries were 
also brought into play, and the battle, which was fought 
with great obstinacy until nearly nine o'clock at night, 
terminated in the enemy being driven from the field. 

Our division remained in its position on high open 
ground in the hot sun until four o'clock, when we were 
ordered to proceed to the Quaker road crossing of the 
New Market road, and take a position to repel any attack 
from Eichmond. The object of this movement was to 
cover the Turkey Bridge road, leading to the James 
river, along which trains were moving all night. On 
our march the road was nearly blocked up with innu- 
merable wagon trains and artillery, besides a drove of 
twenty-five hundred cattle, through which we wound 
our way, and arrived at the designated point about six 
o'clock. We halted on Nelson's farm, the battle-field of 
the next day, and where a sharp skirmish had taken 
place with the enemy's cavalry early in the morning, 



THE PICKET BEFORE GLENDALE. 135 

showing that tlieir efforts were about to be directed 
towards impeding our progress to the river. General 
McCall made bis headquarters at the farm house during 
the night. 

Leaving the Second and Third Brigades in reserve^ at 
dark our brigade and a battery of artillery, under the 
command of Colonel Simmons^ silently moved off to the 
front, about a mile, crossing a small creek and turning 
to the left through a deep woods, where we were posted 
on picket, on a by-road. The night was intensely dark, 
and we were unable to see but a short distance from us. 
The men were laid down on the edge of the road with 
orders for no one to speak or sleep, but to be ready to 
spring into line at an instant's notice. In front of us, at 
the distance of fifty paces, pickets were posted under 
command of Lieutenant Clendining. The countersign 
was — to bare the right arm and raise and lower it twice. 
When all was the stillness of death, a rapid fire of mus- 
ketry opened a few hundred yards in our rear, and we 
were unable to tell whether it was an attack of the foe, 
or our friends firing upon one another. We found out 
afterwards it was our own men. 

About the middle of the night, a number of the bat- 
tery horses got loose, and came dashing down the rear 
of our line, like a charge of cavalry, and several shots 
were fired into them in rapid succession. One of the 
horses being wounded, kept up a most unearthly cry 
through the night, making the most distressing noise 
possible to imagine, and the farm dogs far and near were 
continually barking, indicating the proximity of the foe. 
In fact, and we strongly suspected it at the time, we were 
surrounded on all sides by the enemy, who knew our 
exact position, and had it in their power to cut in pieces 
or capture us, but they wished to bag the whole division, 
and were waiting for the arrival of one of their columns 
in the position assigned to it. Fortunately it was de- 
layed on its march, for which the general commanding 
was severely censured by his Government. The tedious 



186 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

hours of watching at last passed away, and the welcomed 
light of day broke in upon us, and with it, we withdrew 
our line and returned to the field where we halted the 
preceding afternoon, "and which before the setting sun 
was drenched with our blood. 

During the night all the troops fell back and crossed 
White Oak swamp, and by five A. M. on the 30th, Gen- 
eral French commanding the rear-gaard, crossed the 
bridge over the creek and destroyed it. General Keyes 
having been ordered to move to the James river, and 
occupy a defensive position near Malvern Hiil, to secure 
out extreme left flank, arrived there in safety early in 
the morning with all his artillery and baggage. Other 
troops and long trains had also passed to the left. 

Battle of Cha-rles City Cross-roads or Glendale, 
tlune 30th. — It being the 30th of June, the regiments 
were formed for muster, and while this was being gone 
through with, the pickets commenced exchanging shots, 
and so close were they to us, that Corporal John Collins, 
Company H, received a bone wound in his arm, and we 
had hardly time to get through with the muster before 
the division was moved a short distance, and assigned 
its position for the battle. 

General McCall was ordered to take up a position on 
the left of the New Market or Long Bridge road, near 
its crossing with the Charles City road, in front of the 
Quaker road leading to Malvern Hill and Turkey bridge, 
and to maintain it until the whole of the immense supply 
trains of the army, then slowly advancing from White 
Oak creek, had passed towards James river, and to repel 
any attack on it. For this purpose General Meade's bri- 
gade was posted on the right, General Seymour's on the 
left, and Eeynold's, now Colonel Simmons', held in reserve. 
The artillery was placed in front of the line, Eandall's 
on the right. Cooper's and Kern's opposite the centre, and 
Dietrich and Kennerheim's, German batteries, acciden- 
tally with the division, on the left of the line. The 
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel Childs, was drawn 



THE BATTLE OF GLENDALE. 167 

■up on the left and rear, but not being called into action, 
were subsequently ordered to fall back. 

The field was a large open plain, with a front of 
about eight hundred yards, and depth of one thousand 
yards, intersected on the right by the New Market road 
and a narrow strip of timber, parallel to it, and on the 
left, near the centre, with a marshy woods, near which 
was Nelson's small farm house. In the rear of the plain 
was a steep wooded hill running to a broad plateau or 
table land, across which run the Quaker road leading 
to the river. Upon the upper edge of the woods laid the 
First Brigade in reserve. 

On the right of the Reserves was posted Kearney's 
division, and on the left and somewhat retired was Sum- 
ner, and further to the left, and slightly advanced, was 
Hooker. 

About half past two o'clock, P. M., the cavalry and 
infantry pickets of the Reserve were driven in, and soon 
after the enemy opened a heavy fire of shell upon our 
centre, under cover of which they sent forward two regi- 
ments at different points to feel the line. These were 
driven back, one by the Third regiment. Colonel Sickel, 
and the other by the Seventh regiment, CoIodcI Harvey. 

Our division being too small to occupy the plain, both 
our flanks were exposed, and soon after a furious attack 
was made on the left by a heavy column of infantry. 
This advance was made under cover of a terrific artillery 
fire, and was gallantly met and driven back with great 
slaughter, and over two hundred prisoners taken. The 
"Bucktails," Major Stone, at this time were sent to the 
left and posted in the marsh woods, the First, Colonel 
Roberts, was sent to support Kern's battery, the Fifth, 
Lieutenant-colonel Fisher, and the Eighth, Colonel Hays, 
were ordered forward to the support of the left centre, 
and the last regiment of the reserve, the Second, Lieu- 
tenant-colonel McCandless, was ordered to the left front. 

In anticipation of this order we had been advanced 
down the hill to near the edge of the woods, where the 



138 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

cannoniers of a section of a Dutch, battery belonging to 
Porter's corps and assigned that day to the Reserves, 
having cut their traces, came dashing through our regi- 
ment, trampling several men to the ground and breaking 
the line. Their guns were abandoned in the plain before 
"US, but the regiment advanced with loud cheers and 
swept across the field under a murderous fire of round 
shot and shell, and reaching a point near Nelson's house, 
and immediately on the right of the marsh woods, were 
laid down under a slight elevation of the ground. Here 
we were joined by a detachment of the Twelfth, under 
Adjutant McMurtrie, who were placed on our left. 

The battle was now raging with terrific fury, a perfect 
storm of shot and shell passing harmlessly over our 
heads. As the gallant Seymour sat unmoved upon his 
horse in our rear, and saw the restiveness of the 
boys to advance, he said to them, " lay down Second, lay 
down and go to sleep, I will wake you up when I want 
you." ^'Come and take a nap with us. General," replied 
the boys. The foe being heavily reinforced, were 
steadily adavncing, and the regiments that had driven 
them back with such gallantry had become somewhat 
disordered by the very impetuosity of the charge, and 
had not time fully to reform, and they in their turn were 
forced back, passing to our right. The Fifth and Eighth 
in the mean time had joined us on the right, and when 
the foe had arrived within fifty yards of us, Seymour 
cried out, " Up and at them," and rising we poured in a 
murderous fire that caused them to stagger and reel. 
With loud cheers we rushed upon them with the bay- 
onet, and one of those desperate hand-to-hand struggles 
ensued that are seldom witnessed in war. The two 
hostile flags were surging over the struggling mass a few 
feet from each other, and around them was poured out 
the best blood of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The 
struggle was a short but desperate one. Already had 
Major Woodward, Captains Smith a^d ISTeide, and Lieu- 
tenants Fletcher and Nightingale, and many other 



THE BATTLE OF GLENDALE*. 139 

gallant spirits fallen, and the ground was crimsoned 
with their blood. In vain the wounded boys, who laid 
thick and near, urged on their comrades, but the enemy 
in crushing masses poured in around us, and with impet- 
uous fury charged, to wrench from our hands the glori- 
ous banner that flaunted over our heads. 

Overpowered, but with our banner and our honor 
unsullied, we were swept from the field. General Meade 
was borne off wounded, the heroic Simmons, who com- 
manded our brigade, and Biddle, the Adjutant-general 
of the division, were mortally wounded, and a host of 
brave of&cers and men of the brigade laid around them. 
As we retreated across the plain before us and up 
through the woods, the fire of hell was let loose upon 
us, the shells and canister tearing up the ground in deep 
furrows, or rushing, .«hrieking and hissing through the 
air, rending the very vault of heaven. 

On the plateau in the rear of the woods, the " Buck- 
tails," Second, Fifth and Tenth regiments were rallied by 
their respective commanders, and formed in line to the 
right of Sumner, and with the artillery that was playing 
over their heads succeeded in checking the further pro- 
gress of the foe, and advancing, drove them back and 
recovered the ground lost. Meanwhile a portion of the 
Twelfth regiment, with detachments of the Fifth, Eighth 
and Tenth, who were carrying prisoners to the rear, 
retreated to the left on a by-road between Sumner and 
Hooker, followed closely by the enemy, who suddenly 
and unexpectedly coming upon these fresh troops, for 
neither had hitherto been engaged, soon recoiled, and 
were driven over upon our centre. 

While this was going on on the left, the centre and 
right of the Eeserve were also hotly engaged, and so 
graphically is the operations of these portions of the 
line described by General McCall, in his ofl&cial report 
of the battle, that we copy it verbatim. 

" It must not be imagined that the enemy was inactive 
along the centre and right of my line during all this 



140 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

time. Cooper's and Kern's batteries, in front of the 
centre, were boldly charged upon, each time a regiment 
dashing up to within forty or fifty yards. They were 
then hurled back by a storm of canister and the delibe- 
rate fire of the First regiment. Colonel Eoberts, whom I 
had placed immediately in the rear of Kern's, and the 
Ninth regiment. Colonel Jackson, in the rear of Cooper's. 
The contest was severe, and put the steadiness of these 
regiments to the test ; both suffered heavy loss, but par- 
ticularly the First regiment, whose gallant Lieutenant- 
colonel (Mclntire) was severely wounded. 

" Some time after this, the most determined charge of 
the day was made upon Kandall's battery, by a full 
brigade, advancing in wedge-shape, without order, but 
with a wild recklessness that I never saw equalled. 
Somewhat similar charges had, as I have stated, been 
previously made on Cooper's and on Kern's batteries by 
single regiments without success, the Confederates hav- 
ing been driven back with heavy loss. A like result 
appears to have been anticipated by Eandall's company; 
and the Fourth regiment (as was subsequently reported 
to me) was requested not to advance between the guns 
as 1 had ordered, 8s it interfered with the cannoniers, 
but to let the battery deal with them. Its gallant com- 
mander did not doubt, I am satisfied, his ability to repel 
the attack, and his guns fairly opened lanes in the ad- 
vancing host. These gaps were, however, immediately 
closed, and the enemy came on, with arms trailed, at a 
run, to the very muzzles of his guns, v/here they pistoled 
or bayoneted the cannoniers. Two guns were limbered, 
and were in the act of wheeling to the rear when the 
horses were shot, the guns were both overturned, and 
presented one confused heap of men, horses and car- 
riages. Over all these the men of the Eleventh Ala- 
bama regiment dashed in, a perfect torrent of men, and 
I am sorry to say, the greater part of the Fourth regi- 
ment gave way. The left company (Captain Conrad) of 
that regimet, however, stood its ground, and with some 



THE BATTLE OF GLENDALE. 141 

fifty or eiglity men of other companies met the Ala- 
bamians. 

" I had ridden into the regiment and endeavored to 
check them; but, as is seen, with only partial success. 
It was here, however, my fortune to witness between 
those of my men who stood their ground and the Rebels 
who advanced, one of the fiercest bayonet fights that per- 
haps ever occurred on this continent. Bayonets were 
crossed and locked in the struggle; bayonet wounds 
were freely given and received. I saw skulls crushed 
by the heavy blow of the butt of the musket, and, in 
short, the desperate thrusts and parries of a life and 
death encounter, proving indeed that Greek had met 
Greek when the Alabama boys fell upon the sons of 
Pennsylvania. 

"My last reserve regiment I had previously sent to 
support Cooper, and I had not now a man to bring for- 
ward. My men were bodily borne off the ground by 
superior numbers. A thick wood was imm^ediately in 
the rear, and the Confederates did not follow my men 
into the thicket. It was at this moment, on witnessing 
the scene I have described that I bitterly felt that my 
division ought to have been reinforced. 

"My force had been reduced, by the battles of the 
26th and 27th, to less than six thousand, and on this 
occasion I had to contend with the divisions of Long- 
street and A. P. Hill, estimated among the strongest and 
best of the Confederate army, and numbering that day 
from eighteen to twenty thousand. 

" The centre was at this time still engaged and I could 
not withdraw any troops from it. 

" The Alabama troops did not attempt to enfilade my 
line, and leaving the guns on the ground, (the horses 
having, during the fight, been either killed or dispersed,) 
they retired to the woods on my right. 

" It was now near sunset and the heat of battle had 
greatly subsided. I now rode to the rear to rally and 
collect the stragglers. At a short distance I came upon 



142 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

two regiments of Kearney's division. I requested them 
to move forward, but was informed their orders were to 
await the arrival of General Kearney. I moved on and 
set some officers at work to form the straggleTS of my 
own regiments into line. On my return I found General 
Kearney. He put his regiments in motion and moved to 
the front and on the right of my line. , 

"As he rode away he said to me, 'If you can brin^ 
forward another line in a few minutes we can stop them. 
By this time the sun had set, and the desultory firmg was 
confined to the extreme right. . 

"In a short time Lieutenant-colonel Thompson, I bird 
regiment, came up and reported to me that he had col- 
lected about five hundred men, with whom he was then 
advancing. I rode on with him at the head of the column 
in a direction to bring this force up on Kearney's left. 

" On arriving near the ground where Eandall's battery 
stood, I halted Thompson's command, wishing to ascer- 
tain whether any of my men were still in front of me. 
I had left Captatn Conrad's company about one hundred 
yards in advance, but it was now so dark I could scarcely 
distinguish a man at ten paces. The battle, in fact, was 
now over; the firing on the left and centre had ceased, 
and there was only a desultory firing between Kearney's 
men and the enemy, some distance to the right. I rode 
forward to look for Conrad, and on the ground where I 
left him I rode into the enemy's picket, the Forty-seventh 
Virginia, Colonel Mayo, resting under some trees, and 
before I knew in whose presence I was, I was taken 
prisoner. Unfortunately for myself I had no staff officer 
with me, or I should have sent him forward to examme 
the ground, instead of going myself; but my Adjutant- 
general, the valiant Captain Heury J. Biddle, had been 
mortally wounded; Lieutenant Scheetz had his horse 
killed, and was injured by the fall ; my Chief of Ord- 
nance, the gallant Beatty, had been severely wounded 
at my siTle, and only left me when I had insisted on his 
doing so; my excellent Orderly, Sergeant Simeon Dunn, 



THE BATTLE OF GLENDALE. 143 

Fourtli Pennsylvania Cavalry, was also fatally wounded 
at my side, and out of my escort of a captain and twenty 
men of the Fourth Cavalry, but one corporal (the brave 
King) and one private remained with me ; these two men 
were made prisoners with myself. About the time I 
was taken prisoner the desultory firing on my right died 
away." 

The Eeserves remained on the field during the night, 
and the rear guard withdrew from it about three o'clock 
the next morning, rejoining McClellan at Malvern Hill, 
after every gun and wagon of the Army of the Potomac 
had passed safely to the river.* 

The loss of the division in killed, wounded and pris- 
oners, in the three battles of the 26th, 27th and 80th of 
June, was three thousand one hundred and eighty, out 
of about seven thousand who went into the battle of 
Mechanicsville. The trophies of the day were three 
stands of colors captured and nearly three hundred pris- 
oners. 

The command of the division now devolved upon 
General Seymour, and of our brigade upon Colonel 
Hays, of the Eighth Eeserve. 

In regard to this battle, justice and truth requires that 
notice be taken of the report of General Hooker, of the 
part taken by his division in it, as published in " Wilhes' 
Spirit of the Times^^ of November 1st, 1862. In this re- 
port that officer states, " the whole of McCall's division 
was completely routed," &c. This sweeping assertion 
has always been regarded by every officer and man of 
the division as exhibiting a misapprehension of facts that 
was perfectly incomprehensible, and evidence has since 
been produced to show that it was not in accordance with 
facts. 

Besides the official report of General McCall, which is 
a sufficient refutation of the charge, we have his testi- 
mony before '' the Joint Committee of the Conduct on the 
W ar," in which he states : 



* See Appendix A. 



144 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

" I have no desire to treat ligbtly the reverses on both 
flanks 01 my division in this hard-fought field ; they 
were the almost inevitable results of greatly superior 
numbers, impelled on those points with great impetu- 
osity; but the Pennsylvania Reserves as a division, 
although terribly shattered, were never " routed " ; they 
maintained their grouud with these exceptions, for three 
hours against thrice their numbers, in, I believe, the 
hardest fought and bloodiest battle in which they ever 
have been engaged, and in this opinion I am sustained 
by most of those officers, if not all, with whom I have 
conversed on the subject. 

Had my division been routed, the march of the Fed- 
eral army would certainly have been seriously interrupted 
by Lee forcing his masses into the interval. (See General 
Porter's statement herewith.) When I was surrounded 
and taken prisoner, I was conducted at once to Lee's 
headquarters. Here Longstreet told me they had seventy 
thousand men bearing on that point, all of whom would 
arrive before midnight ; and had he succeeded in forcing 
McClellan's column of march, they would have been 
thrust in between the right and left wings of the Federal 
army. Now, under this very probable contingency had 
I not held my position (see General Porter's report here- 
with) the state of affairs in the left wing of McClellan's 
army would have been critical indeed ; but Lee was 
checked (as Longstreet admitted ) by my division (see 
Surgeon Marsh's report herewith), and the divisions in 
the rear, together with the Pennsylvania Reserves and 
others, moved on during the night, and joined McClellan 
at l^alvern Hill before daylight. What share my divi- 
sion had in effecting this happy result let the country 
judge." 

General Porter writing to General McCall from Wash- 
ington, October 20th, 1862, says: "Had not McCall held 
his place on New Market road, June 20th, that line of 
march of the (Federal) army would have been cut by the 
enemy." 



TESTIMONY. 145 

General Meade, to the same, from camp,, near Warren- 
toii, Virginia, under date of November 7tb, 1862, writes : 
* * * "It was only the stubborn resistance offered 
by our division (the Pennsylvania Reserves), prolong- 
ing the contest till after dark, and checking till that time 
the advance of the enemy, that enabled the concentra- 
tion, during the night, of the whole army on James river, 
xvldcli saved Uy 

Colonel Roy Stone, one hundred and -forty -ninth regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, who commanded the 
'' Bucktails," at New Market cross- roads, writes : , 

"Meantime the enemy (recoiling from Sumner and 
Plooker) turned to the left and was repulsed by your 
centre. About sunset I was ordered to the right, and 
went directly to the ground occupied by me when the 
action commenced, and I can bear witness that the 
ground hfeld by the centre of your division when the 
battle opened, was held by your troops in the face of a 
large force of the enemy long after dark ; and so far as 
my observation extended, the only regiments that broke 
in the early part of the fight were those that had become 
disordered by their own charge into the enemy's line." 

Colonel Hays, Eighth Reserves, writes : ^ ^ ^' " I 
ordered the line to advance and take a position in a 
field immediately in front of where General Seymour 
had been in the commencement of the action. We lay 
till four o'clock, the next morning, and so near the 
enemy that we could hear the voices of officers giviug 
orders." 

Lieutenant-colonel Warner, commanding Tenth Re- 
serves, writes -. ^ * * " The enemy being checked 
in these woods, the regiment again formed in line, with 
others of the Reserves who were rallied at this point, 
and moved forward to within a hundred yards of the 
ground it held at the beginning of the battle. Here it 
remained in line of battle, till 11 o'clock at night, when 
it was ordered to move to Malvern Hill." 

10 



146 OUE CAMPAIGNS. 

Surgeon N. F. Marsh, Fourth Pennsylvania cavalry, 
writes : 

"Washington, November 25th, 1862. — General: — 
After the battle of the 30th of June, I remained at 
' Willis' Church, with a large number of our wounded. 
The next morning I was directed by General Jackson 
(Stonewall) to report to General Lee. I found General 
Lee in company with General Longstreet, Magruder and 
Hill, on the New Market road. I addressed General Lee 
and informed him that I was a Federal surgeon, and had 
remained to care for our wounded, and wished protection 
and supplies for our men. He promised supplies, and 
directed General Longstreet to write the necessary per- 
mit. At the time I approached they were discussing the 
battle of the previous day, being then on the ground. 
General Longstreet asked me if I was present. I re- 
plied I was. He asked what troops were engaged. I 
replied I only knew the division I was connected with — 
McCall's — which fought just where we then were. Gen- 
eral Longstreet said, ' Well, McCall is safe in Eichmond ; 
but if his division had not offered the stubborn resistance 
it did on this road, we would have captured your whole 
army. Never mind, we'll do it yet.' 

" On Thursday, 8d July, General Eoger A. Pry or came 
into the Church (hospital,) and we had a long conversa- 
tion. He repeated in substance what General Longstreet 
said, and spoke in the highest terms of the ' pluck dis- 
played by McCall's Pennsylvania troops.' 

" The interest I felt in the Eeserve Corps made me care- 
ful to remember these acknowledgments of the rebel 
generals." 

Surgeon James E. Eiley, of the One hundred and 
twenty-seventh Penna. Vols, writes: 

"Washington, January 16, 1864:. — General: — On the 
18th of December, 1862, I was engaged dressing the 
stump, having previously amputated the leg of Captain 

(name not recollected,^ of the Twelfth Mississippi 

regiment, who had been wounded at the battle of Fred- 



WHITE OAK SWAMP. 147 

ericksburg, when lie asked me what corps I belonged to, 
I replied tlie Pennsylvania Eeserves. He said he had 
been in seventeen battles, and in all those on the Penin- 
sula ; that if the Pennsylvania Eeserves had not fought 
so well at Mechanicsville, where they had their best 
troops, and again at New Market cross-roads, the Con- 
federates would have captured McClellan's army." 

It is not necessary to dwell longer upon this subject, 
as the above adduced testimony sets at rest the matter 
beyond all controversy. 

While the battle of Charles City cross-roads was pro- 
gressing, the enemy were attempting to force a passage 
of White Oak swamp which was held by General 
Franklin. Between twelve and one o'clock they opened 
a fierce cannonade upon the divisions of Smith and 
Eichardson, and Naglee's brigades at this bridge. This 
artillery fire was continued by the enemy through the 
day, and he crossed some infantry below our position. 
Eichardson's division sufiered severely. Captain Ayres 
directed the artillery with great effect. Captain Hazzard's 
battery, after losing many cannoniers, and the Captain 
being mortally wounded, was compelled to retire. It 
was replaced by Pettit's battery, which partially silenced 
the enemy's guns. 

General Franklin held his position until after dark, 
repeatedly driving back the enemy in their attempts to 
cross the White Oak swamp. 

The rear of the supply trains and the reserve artillery 
of the army reached Malvern Hill about four o'clock 
that afternoon. About this time the enemy began to 
appear in General Porter's front, which was posted on 
the left, holding the river road to Eichmond, and at five 
o'clock advanced in large force against his left flank, 
posting artillery under cover of a skirt of timber, with 
a view to engage our force on Malvern Hill, while with 
his infantry and some artillery he attacked Colonel 
Warren's brigade. A concentrated fire of about thirty 
guns was brought to bear on the enemy, which, with the 



148 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

infantr}^ fire of Colonel Warren's command, compelled 
him to retreat, leaving two guns in tlie hands of Colonel 
Warren. The gunboats rendered most efficient aid 
during the attack. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Battle of Malvern Hill. March to Harrison's Landing. 
Cruelty to our Wounded. Hunting Greybacks. White 
Gloves and Kagged Clothes. Visit of President Lincoln. 

Battle of Malveen Hill, July 1st. — At Malvern 
Hill was collected the whole Army of the Potomac with 
all its artillery, to give battle once more to the vigilant 
foe, who, though def«5ated in every battle of the seven 
days' fight except one, (Gaines' Mills,) were victorious 
in the campaign. Flushed with the knowledge of our 
retreating, the sight of our dead, the capture of many of 
our wounded, and the spoils of the field, they in spite of 
their terrible losses, almost looked upon it as a triumph- 
ant march, and believing they had driven us to the 
water's edge, they considered our capture or annihilation 
as certain, and so confident were they of this, that Jef- 
ferson Davis, accompanied by the officials of his Gov- 
ernment, visited the army to receive the sword of 
McClellan. 

Malvern Hill is an elevated plateau, about a mile and 
a half by three-fourths of a mile in area, -mostly clear of 
timber, and with several converging roads crossing it. 
In front were numerous ravines, and the ground sloped 
gradually towards the north and east to a heavy woods, 
giving clear range for artillery in those directions. To- 
wards the northwest the plateau falls off more abruptly 
into a ravine, which extends to James river. Upon this 
hill the left and centre of our line rested, while the right 



BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL. 149 

curved backwards through a wooded country towards a 
point below Ilaxall's on the James river. 

The left of the line was held by the Fifth Corps, Gen- 
eral Porter, consisting of the divisions of Sykes and 
Morell, of Warren's, Buchanan's and Chapman's brigades, 
and Griffin's, Martindale's and Butterfielcl's brigades. 
The artillery of the two divisions was advantageously 
posted, and the artillery of the reserve so disposed on 
the high ground that a concentrated fire of some sixty 
guns could be brought to bear on any point in its front 
or left. ^ Colonel Tyler had also succeeded in getting ten 
of his siege guns in position on the highest point of the 
hill. Couch's division was placed on the right of Porter ; 
next came Kearney and Hooker ; next Sedgwick and 
Eichardson ; next Smith and Slocum ; then the remain- 
der of Keyes' corps, extended by a backward curve 
nearly to the river. The Pennsylvania Eeserves were 
held in reserve, and stationed behind Porter's and 
Couch's position. One brigade of Porter's was thrown 
to the leit on the low ground to protect that flank from 
any movement direct .from the Eichmond road. The line 
was very strong along the whole front of the open plateau, 
but from thence to the extreme right, the troops were 
more deployed. This formation was imperative, as 
from the position of the enemy his most obvious line of 
attack would come from the direction of Eichmond and 
White Oak swamp, and would almost necessarily strike 
upon the left wing. Commodore Eogers, commanding 
the flotilla on James river, placed his gunboats so as to 
protect this flank, and to command the approaches from 
Eichmond. The right wing was rendered as secure as 
possible by slashing the timber and by barricading the 
roads. There was posted upon different parts of the 
field, and in 'some places tier above tier, about two hun- 
dred and fifty pieces of artillery. 

. About ten o'clock A. M., the enemy emerged from the 
woods on the opposite side of the plain and commenced 
feeling along the whole left wing, with his artillery and 



150 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

skirmisliers, which was promptly responded to by our 
artillery, and in about one hour the firing on both sides 
nearly ceased. An ominous stillness, indicating the 
manoeuvring and placing in position of troops, now 
followed, preparatory to the terrific struggle that was 
soon to take place. About two o'clock a column of the 
enemy was observed moving towards our right, within 
the skirt of woods in front beyond the range of our artil-» 
lery. Although the column was long, occupying more 
than two hours in passing, it disappeared, and was not 
again heard of. It probably returned by the rear, and 
participated in the attack afterwards made on the left. 

During this long silence, our troops lay quietly upon 
the field, eating their scanty rations, and enjoying the 
rest they had not known for so long. Thus the day 
wore on with but little animation until about three 
o'clock, when a heavy fire of artillery was opened on 
Kearney's left and Couch's division, near the centre of 
the line, followed by a brisk attack of infantry on 
Couch's front. This was immediately responded to by 
our artillery, but Couch's infantry remained lying on the 
ground until the enemy had advanced within musketry 
range, when they sprang to their feet and poured in 
a deadly volley that broke and drove them back with 
considerable slaughter. They were followed for nearly 
half a mile, where our line halted and occupied a much 
stronger position, resting upon a thick clump of trees. 

This affair occupied about one hour, when the fire ceased 
over the whole field, and the enemy evinced neither a 
disposition to attack or withdraw. About six o'clock, 
the enemy suddenly opened upon Couch and Porter with 
the whole strength of his artillery, and at once began 
pushing forward his columns of attack to carry the hill. 
Xow opened one of the most desperate and sanguinary 
l)attles ever fought upon this continent. Brigade after 
brigade, formed under cover of the woods, started at a 
run to cross the open space and charge our batteries, bat 
the heavy fire of oar guns, with the cool and steady vol- 



BATTLE OF MALVEEX HILL. 151 

leys of tlie infantry, in every case sent them reeling back 
to shelter, and covered the ground with their dead and 
wounded. But fresh lines were agaiu hurled forward 
with a desperation and recklessness seldom witnessed 
before. No troops ever acted with more desperate 
courage than the enemy did upon that occasion, but like 
the storm-lashed ocean, madly dashing its billows against 
a rock-bound shore, they were hurled back broken and 
confused, but to unite and return again to the assanlt. 
From batteries upon batteries were vomited forth sheets 
of flame and smoke, whose storms of grape and canister 
mowed down the columns of advancing valor, leaving 
vast gaps, that were filled np b}^ the mad and infuriated 
masses. To add to the terror of the slaughter, the gun- 
boats in the river opened with their 11-inch guns throw- 
ing their elongated shells into the woods which were 
densely packed with the enemy, tearing into splinters 
the largest trees, and destroying whole companies at 
once. 

About seven o'clock, as fresh troops were being pushed 
in by the enemy, Meagher and Sickles were sent in with 
their brigades to relieve such regiments as had expended 
their ammunition, and batteries from the reserve were 
pushed forward to replace those whose boxes were 
empty. Until dark the enemy persisted in his efforts to 
take the positions so tenaciously defended ; but despite 
his vastly superior numbers, his repeated and desperate 
attacks were repulsed with fearful loss. The sun went 
down, but the carnage did not cease, for though the 
musketry closed, the fiery messengers of death coursed 
their swift-winged path through the skies, dealing de- 
struction among the enemy, who but feebly replied. It 
was after nine o'clock before all firing ceased. ISTevcr 
was a repulse more signal, the confused masses of the 
enemy's infantry, artillery, and cavalry, all struggling 
together, choking the roads and crossing the fields in 
every direction. So complete was the confusion, that 
one or two days elapsed before the men of the different 



152 



OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



regiments and commands conld be collected together and 
put m shape, and it has been ascertained upon competent 
authoritjr, that with twenty thousand fresh troops McClel- 
Ian could have marched into Richmond. 

As the army in its movement from the Chickahominy 
to Harrison's Landing was continually occupied in 
marching by night and fighting by day, its commanders 
loand no time or opportunity for collecting data, which 
could enable them to give exact returns of casualties in 
each engagement. The aggregate of our entire losses, 
Iroin the 26th of June to the 1st of July, inclusive, was 
ascertained, after arrival at Harrison's Landing, to be as 
follows : 

Return of the killed, wounded, and missing in the 
Army of the Potomac, from the 26th day of June to the 
1st of July, 1862, inclusive. 



First, McCall'8 division. 

Second, Sumner's 

Third, Heintzelman's... 

Fourth, Keyes' 

Fifth, Porter's.... 

S^ixth, Franklin's , 

iiugineers 

Cavahy 



Total 



Killed. 



253 
187 
189 
69 
620 
245 

'19 



1582 



Wounded, 



1240 

1076 

1051 

507 

2460 

1313 

2 

60 

7709 



Missing. 



1581 

848 

833 

201 

1198 

1179 

21 

97 

5958 



Aggregate. 



3,074* 

2,111 

2,073 

777 

4,278 

2,737 

23 

176 

15,249 



> » General McCall in liis official report states the loss of the Reserves to be 3,1S0. 

It will be observed that the division of Pennsylvania 
Reserves lost more than any corps, excepting the Fifth, 
and more than Sumner's and Keyes' or Heintzelman's 
and Keyes' combined. 

Although the result of the battle of Malvern Hill was 
a complete victory, it was, nevertheless, necessary to fall 
back to a position below City Point, as the channel there 
was so near the southern shore that it would not be pos- 
sible to bring up the transports, should the enemy occupy 



Harrison's landing. 153 

it. Besides, the line of defence was too extended to be 
maintained by our weakened forces, and the supplies of 
food, forage and ammunition, being exhausted it was 
imperatively necessary to reach the transports immedi- 
ately. 

The greater portion of the transportation of the army 
having been started for Harrison's Landing during the 
night of the 30th of June and the 1st of July, the order 
for the movement of the troops was at once issued upon 
the final repulse of the enemy at Malvern Hill. About 
eleven o'clock that night the sleepy boys were woke up 
and put in motion, and passing by Haxall's house wo 
slowly wound our way down the hill to the river road, 
along which we marched, passing over Turkey bridge. 
The night was extremely dark, but the road, which for a 
long distance was exceedingly bad, was lit up by thou- 
sands of candles placed in the trees, and bright fires 
burning upon the wayside which were continually re- 
plenished by the guard stationed at them. At daybreak 
we entered a fine field of standing wheat, where we laid 
down and rested for an hour and then moved on. It 
soon commenced raining, turning the deep dust into 
heavy mud, and in an incredible short time the artillery, 
wagons, cavalry and infantry rendered the road almost 
impassable. But onward the column pressed until it 
crossed Herring run and debouched into the open plain 
of Harrison Landins:. 

The Eeserves were here pu^ into a heavy pine woods 
to the right of the road, and by building bough arbours 
somewhat sheltered themselves. During the day and 
night, the rain descended in torrents, rendering the 
kindling of fires almost impossible, but, as the boys had 
but little to cook, it did not matter much. The with- 
drawal which was conducted by General Keyes was 
most skilfully effected, and with no other loss than the 
few wagons that broke down upon the road. The rear 
guard, consisting of the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, a 
brigade of infantry and one battery, under the command 



154 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

of Colonel Averill, did not leave the field until ten o'clock 
on the 2nd of July, and the last of the wagons reached 
Harrison's Landing on the 3rd. 

On the morning of the 8rd a small force of the enemy 
having followed up the rear guard and taken an advan- 
tageous position, opened with shell, to whick our guns 
responded. The Eeserves were drawn up about nine 
o'clock in an open field where they stood in the mud up 
to their knees with shells bursting and round shot whist- 
ling over their head's until three in the afternoon, when 
they were marched to a neighboring field, and bivouacked 
on the banks of Herring creek. 

While this change of base from the Pamunky to the 
James river was progressing, the White House was suc- 
cessfully evacuated with comparatively a trifling loss of 
stores, etc. No less than seven hundred vessels were in 
the river at the time, all of which vvere successfully re- 
moved. The last of our wagons left under guard of General 
Stoneman's cavalry, not a man or contraband being left 
behind, and the telegraphic communication with General 
McClellan was not severed till one o'clock, P. M., on the 
28th, and at seven o'clock the enemy made their apjDcar- 
ance in the neighborhood of the White House, where 
they were welcomed with shell and grape from three 
gunboats in the river. 

Thus ended the " Seven Day's Battles," which will ever 
be viewed by military men, as one of the greatest feats 
of the war. Never did suck a change of base, involving 
a retrograde movement, and under incessant attacks from 
a most determined and vastly more numerous foe, par- 
take so little of disorder. The immense artillery and 
wagon train, the latter if stretched out in one line, ex- 
tending nearly forty miles, the Commissary and Quarter- 
master's stores, the ammunition, a drove of twenty-five 
hundred cattle ; in fact, the army and its entire material, 
horse, foot and dragoon, bag and baggage, was trans- 
ferred successfully with an incredibly small loss of ma- 
terial. The movement was conducted with perfect order. 



155 

There was no trepidation or haste, no smashing np of 
wagons by careless or fast driving, yet there was no 
moment for repose, no opportunity scarcely to properly 
care for the wounded; and the dead, excepting at Me- 
chanicsville, were left unburied. The enemy closely 
watched every movement, and with an army more than 
double that of our own, had the ability to constantly 
launch fresh troops upon our rear, an advantage which 
they were quick to discover, and remorseless in improv- 
ing. Their perfect knowledge of the roads, paths and 
bridges, the topography of the country which took us 
time to learn, placed an immense advantage in their 
hands, yet they were, excepting in one instance, unable 
by their utmost efforts to drive us from any field. 

Our army regarded the movement as the carrying out 
of a necessary plan, and the only dissatisfaction expressed 
being at the leaving behind of so many of the wounded. 
We have no hesitation in asserting, and without the 
least fear of contradiction, that upon the arrival of the 
army at Harrison's Lauding, the morale of it was almost 
as good as ever, and that the men had such unbounded 
confidence in McClellan that they would fearlessly have 
followed him at any time if he had assumed the aggres- 
sive. 

"While an advancing army loses nothing in men and 
material by capture, it is necessarily the reverse with a 
retreating one, besides, though it may be successful in 
every battle, it loses the advantages of following up its 
victories, which are transferred to the enemy. Though 
this naturally has the tendency of weakening the morale 
of an army, such did not appear to be the case with ours, 
for the men went into every one of the many and pro- 
tracted battles in most excellent spirits, and with full 
confidence of victory. 

Throughout the whole struggle the Union and Con- 
federate troops displayed upon every field the most 
desperate bravery and indomitable courage, and learned 
by the noble qualities they discovered, to respect each 



156 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

other. Never upon tlie field did we see an act of cruelty 
done, and tlie testimony of our wounded, and the surgeons 
who remained with them, was to the universally kind 
treatment they received from the privates of the enemy. 
It is to be regretted that the same cannot be said of their 
officers, and all unite in attesting to the bitter animosity 
and heartlessness shown by the non-combatants and civil- 
ians. 

After the battle of Glendale, Doctor E. Donnelly, the 
surgeon of our regiment, among others, volunteered to 
remain behind and take charge of our wounded, and 
from him we subsequently learned many interesting 
facts in regard to their treatment and condition. He was 
placed in charge of a hospital improvised upon the 
battle-field near Nelson's house, where were collected our 
wounded in the outbuildings and on the surrounding 
lawn. The only assistance he had was from young 
Hartman, Company K, and some Confederate privates, 
who volunteered to help. These men carried in the 
wounded, or moved them into the shade, brought them 
water, and divided their scanty rations among them. 
They spoke and acted towards them with the greatest 
kindness, but the sufferings of the poor boys were great. 
With.no medicine or stimulants, with a scanty supply of 
rags and water, and the help of Hartman and these men, 
the doctor amputated the limbs and dressed the wounds 
of hundreds, who were sinking from the loss of blood, 
and the want of food. But no medicine, liquor, food or 
assistance could be obtained from the officials, one of 
whom deliberately stole the doctor's case of instruments 
while he was performing an operation. 

On the day of the battle of Malvern Hill a large num- 
ber of citizens from Eichmond visited the battle-field of 
New. Market cross-roads, anticipating the pleasure of 
seeing our army surrender. None of them, however, 
showed the least disposition to assist our wounded, 
though to satisfy their curiosity they walked among 
them, and were very inquisitive and rude in their inqui- 



FIENDISH TREATMENT OF PRISO^^ERS. 157 

ries, and some of tliem were shameless enough even to 
steal their canteens and cups — articles that then were 
worth more than gold to the helpless fellows, who laid for 
days afterwards upon the field; burning with fever and 
without a mouthful of water to quench their thirst. One 
man, and we are sorry to say that he was a minister of 
the Gospel, so far forgot the precepts of his Master, the 
Prince of Mercy, and the better feelings of his heart — if 
he ever had any — in his bitter hatred of Union soldiers, 
as to commence upbraiding as *' mercenaries" and "hire- 
lings," the poor wounded sufferers, some of whom had 
lost their limbs, and others, from whose wounds maggots 
were crawling. When suffering all the anguish that 
mortals are heir to, when faint with the loss of blood 
and nervous excitement, this paroled prisoner of h — 1, 
clothed in the sacred garb of religion, taunted and de- 
nounced these poor creatures over whom the guardian 
angels of heaven were weeping. It is, though with 
unfeigned pleasure, that we contrast with this the con- 
duct of Doctor Hill Carter, a most worthy and estimable 
gentleman, whose house was also used as a hospital for 
our wounded. Doctor Carter, though a secessionist, not 
only put all he had at the disposal of our surgeons, but 
he and his family assisted, to the utmost of their ability, 
to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, and their 
kindness will ever be remembered with gratitude by 
those whose sufferings they alleviated. All the wounded 
were subsequently removed to Eichmond, though some 
of them not until a week afterwards, they lying upon 
the field during that time exposed to the burning rays 
of the sun of the day, and the cold dews of the night. 
Some of these, whose wounds were undressed, died on 
the road, and one relates the fiendish expression of an 
ambulance driver, " that corduroy roads were bully to 
haul wounded Yankees over." 

Upon their arrival they were stowed away in Libby 
prison, a loathesome hole, foul with the stench of two 
water closets and the putrefaction of the bodies in the 



158 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

dead house tinderneatli, wliicli were exposed to tlieir 
sight through a large open grating in the floor of their 
apartmfent. A little medicine, and that stolen from our 
surgeons, was doled out to them. A pittance of tainted 
beef and hard crackers was given each day, without a 
change of clothing, or blankets to cover themselves with. 
at night, or water to wash with in the morning, they 
were huddled together by hundreds, and this was the 
treatment they received from the Government. But 
the treatment they received from the soldiers was 
universally kind. When we say soldiers, we do not 
mean the guards around the prison, who had never been 
upon the field, but the men who had fought them, and 
had learned to respect a brave foe. With these they 
were all right. On the field, when we drove them from 
positions formerly held by us, we found in many cases 
our wounded had been supplied with water and some- 
times placed behind logs or trees in sheltered positions, 
and at Glendale, when several of the enemy were taken 
prisoners and were being sent to the rear, although they 
were under a heavy fire, they picked up and carried off 
a wounded Union soldier. Many other acts of kindness 
were frequently displayed upon the field, that showed 
there was not felt the bitter animosity and vindictive- 
ness shown by civilians and politicians. 

At Malvern Hill, the morning after the battle, both 
parties had pickets stationed upon the field, and the 
enemy were permitted to remove their wounded, but 
they fired upon our men when they approached for the 
same purpose. This may have seemed cruel, but it was 
a military precaution on their part, that doubtless was 
deemed justifiable, as it was of vital importance to them 
to conceal from us the extent of their disaster, the de- 
moralization and position of their troops. 

The position now occupied by our army was a line of 
heights, some three miles long and about two miles from 
the James, and the plain extended from them to the 
river. As these heights commanded the whole position, 



159 

it would have been necessary to have maintained theiA 
to the last. Both flanks were well supported by the gun- 
boats. The position though remarkably strong, and one 
that could only be carried by overwhelming numbers, 
was by no means impregnable, especially as a morass 
extended between the heights and the river, from the 
centre to our right. In the broad area or plain of Har- 
rison's Landing, Evelington Heights, or West Over, were 
collected an immense amount of army stores and ammu- 
nition, and vast numbers of siege guns, mortars, etc.; 
removed from the former line occupied by the army. 
Here also was encamped a considerable portion of the 
army, while the balance occupied the heights. The 
Landing presented a most interesting scene, the river 
bank, for a long distance, being lined with canal boats 
and barges from three to ten and twelve deep, most of 
which, having been emptied of their vast amount of 
stores, served as wharves for the large transports to 
unload at. Schooners, brigs, and ships innumerable, 
were here at anchor, through which steamers of all 
sizes and descriptions were continually winding their 
way, presenting a scene of animation and life seldom 
witnessed. 

Colonel Hays, Eighth Eeserves, being the senior 
ofiicer of the brigade, assumed command of it, upon the 
death of Colonel Simmons, of the Fifth, but on account 
of indisposition he turned it over to Colonel McNeill, of 
the " Bucktails." On the 4th, the Eighth regiment was 
transferred to the Second Brigade, and the Sixth regi- 
ment transferred to ours, which placed Colonel Sinclair 
in command of it. 

The anniversary of our national birthday was duly 
celebrated, by the firing of salutes and the display of 
flags, among the most conspicuous of which were those 
captured from the enemy by the different regiments. On 
dress-parade the following address was read at the head 
of each regiment, which was received with the most 
enthusiastic cheering from the men : 



''I 



160 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

*' Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, 
Camp near Harrison's Landing, 
July 4ih, 1862. 

" Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac : — ^Your 
achievements of the last ten days have illustrated the 
valor and endurance of the American soldier. Attacked 
by superior forces, and without hope of reinforcements, 
you have succeeded in changiug your base of operations 
by a flank movement, always regarded as the most haz- 
ardous of military expedients. You have saved all your 
material, all your trains, and all your guns, except a few 
lost in battle, taking in return guns and colors from the 
enemy. Upon your march, you have been assailed day 
after day with desperate fury, by men of the same race 
and nation, skilfully massed and led. Under every dis- 
advantage of number, and necessarily of position also, 
you have in every conflict beaten back your foes with 
enormous slaughter. Your conduct ranks you among 
the celebrated armies of history. No one will now 
question that each of you may always with pride say : 
'I belong to the Army of the Potomac' You have 
reached the new base, complete in organization and un- 
impaired in spirit. The enemy may at any moment 
attack you. We are prepared to meet them. I have 
personally established your lines. Let them come, and 
"we will convert their repulse into a final defeat. Your 
Government is strengthening you with the resources of 
a great people. On this our Nation's birthday, we de- 
clare to our foes, who are rebels against the best interests 
of mankind, that this army shall enter the capital of the 
so-called Confederacy; that our national Constitution 
shall prevail, and that the Union, which can alone insure 
internal peace and external security to each State, 
^must and shall be preserved,' cost what it may in time, 
treasure, and blood. 

"GEOKGE B. McCLELLAN." 

As soon as circumstances permitted after our arrival, 
means were taken to reorganize, equip and put the army 



GREYBACK M0VEMEXT3. 161 

into fighting order again. The stragglers soon found 
their regiments. Upon inspecting the arms, it was found 
that in the various regiments were collected every cali- 
bre and pattern known in the service, the Harper's 
Ferry, Springfield, Sharpe's, Maynard's, Burnside, En- 
field, Tower, Belgium, Kichmond, Palmetto, etc.; all 
mixed promisci^ouslj together among the men, who 
having lost their own, appropriated their neighbors'. 
These when not of the calibre of the regiment, were 
turned in, assorted and re-issued, so that each regiment, 
brigade and division, if possible, w^ould be armed alike. 
Accoutrements, ammunition and clothing were likewise 
distributed, as fast as received, and in an incredibly short 
time the whole army was in as good condition as ever it 
was to meet the foe, and their morale increased by the 
consciousness of what they had achieved. To General 
Seymour was accorded the honor of being the first to 
get his division into proper trim. 

While these matters w^ere occupying the serious atten- 
tion of the general officers of the army, the great ques- 
tion that agitated the public mind, was the getting rid of 
the '' greybacks," whom, there was every reason to 
suppose, had domiciled themselves upon the persons of 
the patriots and held them in a ticklish position. As 
we had destroyed all our clothing except what we stood 
in, and as soap was an article that could neither be pro- 
cured "for love or money," and as clothing was issued 
by piece meal, it was a task easier undertaken than 
accomplished. But by dint of washing, scrubbing, 
scouring and constant vigilance, the feat was accom- 
plished, and the boys came out in their new uniforms as 
clean and bright as new dollars. It is a matter of impos- 
sibility for an army to pass through Avhat we did in the 
summer without being overrun with vermin, and among 
soldiers one is not blamed for having them on, but for 
keeping them. So universal were they at that time, that 
no one thought of being ashamed of them, and we have 
even heard the boys declare that they knew all the bugle 



162 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

calls, and had become so expert in drill as to go througb. 
the battalion movements quite accurately, and to have 
their regular guard mountings and dress parades. If 
any of our delicate readers should feel shocked at this 
exposure of our private affairs, we must remind them 
that part of our task is to show up soldier life in its true 
light. 

A rather amusing incident occurred about this time, 
that was in strange contrast with the foregoing. Some 
months previous Avhite gloves had been ordered for the 
men, out of the regimental fund, and when the boys 
were in the greatest need of underclothing, and even 
shoes and blouses, they arrived, and just in time to he 
distributed prior to the regiment going out on a general 
review of the division. The remarks of our friends of 
the other regiments in regard to the strange contrast in 
our clothing was quite amusing. 

On the 8th, His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, arrived 
from Washington on a visit to the army, and in the after- 
noon he rode along the lines of the different divisions 
who were drawn up to receive him. lie was most enthu- 
siastically received by the troops, who honored and 
respected the chief who had sworn to preserve and per- 
petuate the nation, at any cost or sacrifice. 

On the 10th, Captain William D. Eeitzel's new com- 
pany, raised in Lancaster county and Philadelphia, 
arrived in camp and was assigned letter "G." They 
were a fine set of young men and numbered sixty -eight 
rank and file. The Lieutenants were, First John L. 
Ehoads, and Second, Max Wimpfheimer. This made 
our ninth company, though one was detached from us. 
On the same day the promotion of Lieutenant-colonel 
William McCandless to a full colonelcy, to date from 
November 1st, 1861, was received. This was in acknowl- 
edgment of his gallantry during the late battles, more 
particularly at Mechanicsville, where he was honorably 
mentioned in the official report of General McCall. 

On the morning of the 14th, we moved our camp 



PAEOLED PRISONERS. 163 

about two miles down the creek to Evlington Tleiglits on 
the right of our line. Here we occupied a broad open 
plain near the creek where the men could enjoy most 
excellent bathing. As good water was scarce, every 
regiment dug a fine deep well, from which they obtained 
a bountiful supply of good water. Sibley tents were 
issued, and our rations brought up to the full standard, 
with cabbage, beets, onions and other vegetables in 
addition. Division guard mountings, company and bat- 
talion drills, and dress parades were ordered. Several 
reviews by Generals McClellan and Seymour took place. 
The sutlers also arrived, and letters and newspapers were 
received daily. 

While here the United States truce steamer Louisiana 
came down the river with a load of paroled Union pris- 
oners from Eichmond, among whom were Major Wood- 
ward, Captains J, Orr Finnic, P. I. Smith, and Horace 
Neide, and Lieutenant Hugh P. Kennedy, of our regi- 
ment, all wounded. Also a large number of our boys, 
most of whom were sent north to the hospitals. Doctor 
Donnelly, our efficient surgeon, who had remained with 
the wounded, also came and was welcomed. All bore 
testimony to the kindness of the privates and cruelty of 
the officials of 'the Confederate Government. Towards 
the latter part of the month orders were issued to hold 
ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice, 
with arms, accoutrements and blankets only. The 
balloons made daily reconnoissances. This was proba- 
bly occasioned by Generals Hill and Longstreet crossing 
the Chickahominy at Long Bridge on a reconnoissance 
in force. « 



164 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Midnight shelling. A Spy. Promotions. Return op Gen- 
erals McCall and Reynolds. Withdrawal from the 
Peninsula. Voyage on the James and Potomac. General 
Pope's movements. Hunting our Division. Running the 
Gauntlet. 

A LITTLE after midniglit, on the 1st of August, the 
enemy brought some light batteries to Coggin's Point 
and the Coles House, on the right bank of the James 
river, directly opposite Harrison's Landing, and opened 
a heavy fire upon our shipping and encampments. The 
shot and shell flew around our camp in the most lively 
manner, which occasioned a grand stampede among the 
^' darks," who took to the swamps and hid themselves. 
The majority of the boj^s taking a philosophical view of 
the matter considered themselves about as safe in one 
place as another, and did not disturb themselves from 
their blankets, while others of a more excitable nature, 
after admiring the pyrotechnical display for a time, lit 
their candles and went to playing cards. In about thirty 
minutes our guns silenced their fire, and the next morn- 
ing, three of their dead, a disabled caisson and flag were 
found. 0,ur loss was ten killed and fifteen woanded. 
No harm of the slightest consequence was done to the 
shipping, although several of the vessels were struck. 
One of the dead had no wound or mark upon him what- 
ever, which was probably occasioned by a ball rolling 
over his chest and pressing the breath out of him. The 
popular opinion that a cannon ball passing near one's 
mouth may take away the breath and produce death is 
erroneous. 

The next morning, the Coles House, which had been 
a rendezvous for the enemy, was destroyed, and four 
hundred men of our brigade were sent over the river 
under command of Colone] McNeill, of the " Bucktaiis," 



GENERAL M'CLELLAN's SPY. 165 

to fell the timber, and a picket guard of four hundred 
of the First Michigan were thrown out to protect them. 
They returned at night with an abundance of fruit, 
vegetables and berries. These details were continued 
da?ly, entrenchments were thrown up by contrabands, 
and some heavy guns put in position, giving us a safe 
debouche and securing us from further midnight can- 
nonading. 

One day our detail brought in a man who attempted 
to run through our pickets. He was an intelligent young 
Virginian, who crossed the river with them in the morn- 
ing, representing himself as being connected with the 
commissary department, and appearing perfectly' at home 

th the men. When taken he was on horseback, and 
tried hard to escape. He showed considerable bitterness 
against the " Yankees," appeared indifferent as to what 
they might do with him, and although annoyed at his 
capture, an expression of concealed fun was, in unguarded 
moments, caught lurking in his bright eyes. He was 
turned over to the provost-marshal. The next day he 
crossed again with a squad of cavalry, from whom he 
managed to slip, and despite their efforts could not be 
recaptured. We afterwards learned that he was a spy 
in the employment of General McClellan. 

On the 3d, Colonel Averill, with three hundred men 
of the Third Pennsylvania and Fifth regular cavalry, 
marched to Sycamore Church, some five miles from 
Coles House, where they found and attacked a cavalry 
force of the enemy five hundred and fifty strong, whom 
they routed, and burned their entire camp and commis- 
sary and quartermaster's stores. 

On the 4th the following promotions were read out on 
dress parade: Major G. A. Woodward to be lieutenant- 
colonel, vice McCandless, promoted ; Captain Horace Neide, 
Company A, to bo major, vice Woodward, promoted ; 
First Lieutenant Daniel H. Connor, Company A, to be 
captain, vice Neide, promoted ; Second Lieutenant John 
J. Ross, Company A to be first lieutenant, vice Connor 



166 OUR CAMPJ\IGNS. 

promoted ; First Lieutenant John M. Clark, Company F 
to be captain, vice John E. Barnacle, resigned. The 
same day Dr. A. G. Coleman, of Schuylkill county, Penn- 
sylvania, reported for duty as assistant-surgeon ; each 
regiment being now allowed two assistant- surgeons. 
About this time Captain P. McDonough and Lieutenant 
John Curley, Sergeants John Cullin, Company B ; An- 
drew Casey, Company C ; Edward Cherry, Company D ; 
George H. Morrow, Company E ; H. C. Hostettei*, Com- 
pany G ; William McGlenn, Company II ; Peter Gillis, 
Company K, and private William Aiken, Company A, 
were detailed to proceed to Philad'elphia on recruiting 
service.' About this time James Harbison, Company D, 
died, and was buried in the Fifth Corps' ground, in a 
pretty woods near the banks of Herring Landing. His 
death was hastened by the recent loss of almost all his 
relatives. While here we were paid off' by Major Pome- 
roy up to the 1st of July. 

Deserters having reported the enemy were moving 
south of James river, and that the force in Eichmond 
was small. General Hooker with his division, and Pleas- 
anton's cavalry was sent to feel in that direction, on the 
2d, and having been joined by General Sedgwick's divi- 
sion, he succeeded in turning Malvern Hill on the morn- 
ing of the 5th, and driving the enemy back toward Rich- 
mond. The enemy's force consisted of a very considerable 
body of infantry and artillery, and over one hundred 
prisoners were captured and a number killed and 
wounded, with a loss on our side of three killed and 
eleven wounded. Colonel Averill pushed a reconnois- 
sance in the direction of Savage Station and near White 
Oak Bridge he encountered the Eighteenth Virginia 
cavalry, whom he drove, capturing twenty-eight men 
and horses, and killing and wounding several. Hooker 
encamped that night on Malvern Hill, and on the morn- 
ing of the 7th returned to camp. While this move- 
ment was being made orders were issued to hold our 
division in readiness to move with two days' cooked 



GENERALS m'cALL AND REYNOLDS. 167 

rations. General McClellan at cne time intended to have 
sujoported Lim with the whole arnnj, but the receipt of 
•advices from Washington, induced him not to do so. 

On the 10th all the regimental bands were mustered 
out of service, brigade bands only being provided for 
by the late act of Congress. The same day, orders were 
received to pack our knapsacks, and label each with the 
owner's name, and send them down to the landing to be 
shipped iu charge of the quartermaster-sergeant. Orders 
were also received to have three days' cooked rations in 
haversacks and five in bulk. At dark we were got into 
line and marched to the upper landing and then to the 
lower one, and after waiting there until eleven o'clock, 
we returned to our camp. 

On the 13th, Generals McCall and Eeynolds arrived 
from Eichmond, and the Eeserves paraded to receive 
them. The reception was most enthusiastic, the boys 
cheering and throwing their hats iii the air. General 
McCall having not yet recovered from the effect of his 
sickness and imprisonment, did not assume- command 
but went north. This separation was final between the 
general and the division, every officer and man of which 
respected, honored and loved him. It was he who or- 
ganized, disciplined, and brought to that high state of 
efiiciency the division, which rendered them so efiicient 
in the field and w^on for them a proud and glorious 
name. 

General Eeynolds succeeded to the command of the 
division. The same night the sergeants of the old First 
Brigade met and resolved to raise a subscription among 
the men to present to General Eeynolds a tnagnificent 
sword, belt. and sash. The same day General Meade 
arrived from Philadelphia and took command of his 
brigade, which was now the First, and General Seymour 
assumed the command of our brigade which was now 
the Second. 

On the 80th of July Major-general Halleck, command- 
ing United States Army, issued orders for the shipment 



168 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

of all the sick from Harrison's Landing to the north, 
which at that time amounted to about twelve thousand 
five hundred, which was immediately commenced. 

It having been determined to withdraw the Army of 
the Potomac from the Peninsula to Aquia creek, orders 
for the same were issued on the 8d of August. The 
reasons that led to this determination were, that at that 
time General McClellan's arm}^ numbered but ninety 
thousand effective men, and the army of General Pope, 
charged with the covering of Washington, numbered 
but thirty-eight thousand. The former was twenty-five 
miles from Eichmond and the latter about eighty or 
ninety miles from Washington, while between them were 
the enemy, numbering over two hundred thousand men. 
This would enable the enemy to fall with his superior 
numbers upon one or the other as he might elect, with- 
out either being able to reinforce the other in case of 
attack. It was in the enemy's power at any time to 
exchange Richmond for Washington, and while the loss 
of their capital would be but trifling to them, the loss 
of Washington to us would be conclusive, or nearly so, 
in its results upon the war. General McClellan most 
earnestly protested against the withdrawal of his army, 
he contending that the true defence of Washington was 
on the banks of the James river; that the heart of the 
rebellion laid directly in front of his army, and that a 
decided victory there would crush the military strength 
of the rebellion. He asked for reinforcements to the 
extent of thirty-five thousand men, and as the Govern- 
ment had no disposable troops to send him, he pointed 
to Burnside ancl Pope's forces from which they could 
be drawn. Without attempting to criticize the military 
opinions of either General McClellan or Halleck, we 
think that subsequent events showed the absolute neces- 
sity of withdrawing the army from the Peninsula. 

It having been ascertained that ''Stonewall" Jackson 
was moving north. General McClellan, in compliance 
with orders from Washington, embarked five batteries 



DOWN THE PENINSULA. 169 

for Aquia creek, where General Burnside had landed 
with infantry only. 

On the 13th, the enemy anticipating an advance on 
Richmond, burnt the wharves at City Point. 

On the l-lth,"^ General Ileintzelman's corps marched 
for Yorktown via Jones' bridge, and General Porter's via 
Barrett's Ferry, near the mouth of the Chickahominy, 
where a pontoon -bridge, about two thousand feet long, 
had been laid. On the morning of the 16th, when the 
last man and last wagon had left, General McClellan bid 
larewell to the scenes of his glory and disappointment, 
and followed in the track of the grand Army of the Po- 
tomac dowa the Peninsula. On the morning of the 18th 
the rear guard crossed the river; and on the 20th the 
greater portion of the army was ready to embark at 
Yorktown, Fortress Monroe and Newport News. Thus 
terminated the ever memorable campaign of the Penin- 
sula, in which ten severely contested and sanguinary 
battles had been fought, besides numerous smaller en- 
gagements, in all of which the troops exhibited the most 
determined enthusiasm and bravery. They submitted to 
.exposure, sickness, and even death, without a murmur, 
and never was a Government more cheerfully or de- 
votedly served than our own was by the Army of the 
Potomac. 

But to return to the movements of our regiment. At 
dark on the 14th we formed and marched to the ord- 
nance wharf and bivouacked for the night on the banks 
of the river, where we laid until sunset the next after- 
noon, when we embarked aboard a steamer and schooner 
and bidding farewell to the scenes of our glory and sad- 
ness, we steamed down the river. During the night the 
steamer run aground, and the next morning at high tide 
the little Schuylkill steamer ''Reindeer," came along side 
and lightened her by taking the men on board until a 
tug could haul her off. 

* General Lee was at Gordouaville at this time. 



170 ' OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

On the voyage down we passed many gunboats and 
transports, and at eight o'clock at night we came to an- 
chor about ten miles above Newport News. Early in 
the night one of the staff horses got loose and running 
aft among the sleeping men created great excitement, 
during which Samuel McGarvey, of company E, fell 
overboard and was drowned. Hamilton, of the same 
company; who also got overboard, was rescued with con- 
siderable difficulty. The next day we weighed anchor, 
and got under way at eleven in the morning, passing the 
sunken frigates Congress and Cumberland, and running 
down to Hampton Eoads, where we came to anchor. 

While here Captain Reitzel, of company Gr, which had 
been detailed as wagon -guard, came aboard for the mail, 
and reported having a pleasant and quiet march down 
the Peninsula. Bread, cakes, watermelons, oranges, 
cocoanuts, etc., were brought aboard for sale. The boyg 
also enjoyed good fishing and luxurious bathing. We 
were detained here by head winds until early on the 
morning of the 20th, when we got under way, passing 
through a forest of masts and entering the Chesapeake 
bay, when, heading northward, we continued on, enter- 
ing the Potomac, and passing up to Aquia creek, where 
we came to anchor about four o'clock on the afternoon 
of the 21st, after a passage of six days, the distance being 
two hundred and fifteen miles. The vessels were hauled 
into the landing, and about eleven o'clock at night we 
embarked aboard the cars, and proceeded to near Fal- 
mouth, where we slept under a commissary shed on piles 
of oats and corn, protected from the rain which was then 
falling. 

For an intelligent understanding of subsequent events 
it is necessary to take a summary review of General 
Pope's movements. On the 26th of June, the day of the 
battle of Mechanicsville, General Pope was assigned to 
the command of the Army of Virginia, consisting of 
Major-Generals McDowell's, Banks' and Fremont's army 
corps, numbering thirty-eight thousand men. The duties 



ADVANCE OF GENERAL BANKS. 171 

assigned to liim was the covering of Washington, the 
safety of the valley of the Shenandoah, and the operating 
upon the enemy's lines in the direction^of Gordonsville 
and Charlottesville to draw off, if possible, a portion of 
the enemy from Richmond. As early as the 16th of 
July, Jackson's advance force under Ewell reached Gor- 
donsville, and on the 7th of August all the tnfantry and 
artillery forces of Pope's army, amounting to twenty- 
eight thousand and five hundred men, were assembled 
along the turnpike from Sperryville to Culpeper, except- 
ing King's division, which was opposite Fredericksburg. 
The cavalry pickets extending on the right from the 
Blue Ridge on the Rapidan, down the same until they 
joined King's, at its junction with the Rappahannock. 

On the 9th, General Banks was ordered to move for- 
ward to Cedar or Slaughter Mountains, and to take up a 
strong position occupied by Crawford's brigade, and 
hold the enemy in check. General Banks, however, left 
his strong position late in the day, and advanced at least 
a mile, throwing his whole corps into action against a 
superior force of the enemy strongly posted and shel- 
tered by woods and ridges. This advance led him over 
open ground, which was everywhere swept by the fire t>f 
the enemy concealed in the woods and ravines beyond. 
The battle lasted about an hour and a half, during which 
time our forces were driven back to their former position 
with heavy loss. At this point Rickett's division came 
up and joined in the engagement, and General Pope, at 
the same time arriving, drew in General Bank's too 
much extended line, and the enemy were driven back. 
An artillery fight was kept up until midnight. Both 
sides suffered severely during the action, and the esti- 
mate loss of our army was one thousand eight hundred 
in killed, wounded and prisoners. 

General Pope, in his ofB.cial report, states : *' The con- 
solidated report of General Bank's corps, received some 
days previously (to the battle), exhibited an effective 
force of something over fourteen thousand men. ^ It ap- 



172 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

peared subsequently, however, that General Bank's force 
at that time did not exceed eight thousand men ! " 
Under such a display of military genius, as shown upon 
this occasion, we would prefer not to serve under Grene- 
ral Banks. 

Before daylight the next morning Jackson withdrew 
. his forces two miles and during the night of the 11th, 
he fell back across the Eapidan, in the direction of Gor- 
donsville leaving many of his dead and wounded on the 
field. General Pope being subsequently reinforced by 
General King's and Eeno's division advanced again to 
the Eapidan. Having captured a letter from General 
Lee to General Stuart, dated Gordonsville, August 15th, 
General Pope was apprised of the position of the enemy 
and their intention to overwhelm him, before the arrival 
of reinforcements from the Army of the Potomac. He 
therefore on the 18th, retired behind the Eappahannock 
and occupied that line from three miles above Eappa- 
hannock station to Kelly's ford. On the 20th, the enemy- 
drove in his pickets in front of Eappahannock station, 
and Kelly's ford and during the next three days made 
strong efforts to cross at various points, but was re- 
pulsed. 

On the 22nd, the Pennsylvania Eeserves under Gen- 
eral Eeynolds, with the exception of the second regi- 
ment, joined the Army of Virginia, at Kelly's ford, and 
was attached to the Third corps. General McDowell, they 
being among the very last to leave Harrison's Landing 
and the first to join General Pope. 

Early on the morning of the 22d, our regiment moved 
into a field near by and had three days' rations served 
'out, and, although, we had had no meat for six days, we 
were forced to leave this behind as we had no kettles 
to boil it in, and salt beef roasted creates too great thirst 
for men to march with during hot weather. That day, 
at noon, we commenced our march through Falmouth, 
and moved up the river on the Bealton road. • The 
weather was oppressively hot, and the men suffered 



A FEAST ON MUTTOIT. 173 

mucTi. During the march, for the first time this season, 
we met with fruit, and although it was green and the 
men were suffering much from the diarrhoea, they could 
not restrain their appetites from enjoying the delicacies, 
and, contrary to all expectations, it proved a most effectual 
remedy for the disease ; their systems being disposed to 
the scurvy, the acids of the apples acting as an antidote. 
At dark we bivouacked in a wood by a roadside. 

, Early the next morning we marched to the tune of the 
booming gun that came rolling down the river, passing 
by Hartwood and halting at the Grove churches during 
the heat of the day. About a mile beyond there we 
turned ^to the left passing Crittenden's mills where 
Morell's division was encamped. Pushing on towards 
Eappahannock station, which laid eight miles beyond, 
and where we knew the Eeserves were engaged with the 
enemy, we marched four miles, when about dark we met 
two cavalrymen, who informed us our division had aban- 
doned the station, at two o'clock that afternoon, and fallen 
back towards Warrenton. Under these circumstances, 
Colonel McCandless fell back to the mills, where we re- 
ported to, and bivouacked with, General Morell. A heavy 
rain had fallen through the afternoon and continued 
through the night. That day we marched seventeen 
miles, though we made but nine. 

The -next morning some of the boys discovering a 
number of sheep running around loose in the woods, 
shot several of them and brought them into camp, which 
General Morell hearing of, was shocked beybnd measure 
at the impropriety of the act, and ordered them to be 
buried near his tent, that he could see it done with his 
own eyes. But while the culprits were digging the 
grave, another party were tunneling from the side of the 
bank, and drew the sheep out, which soon, became part 
and parcel of the Second Eeserves. 

That afternoon. General Morell marched with his whole 
force to the northeast where we took up a strong position 
at the gold mines near Morrisville and laid during the 



174 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

night. Here we remained until the next afternoon, "vvhen 
onr Colonel, anxious to join the division, solicited and 
obtained permission to attempt the hazardous task of 
running the gauntlet outside our picket line, and Gen- 
eral MoreU taking compassion on our craven stomachs, 
gave us a fine ox and his blessing, with which we de- 
parted on our way rejoicing. In a few miles we were 
outside the picket lines, pushing direct for our forces, 
through a section of country continually scoured by the 
enemy's cavalry. About dark we passed Bealton sta- 
tion, which is four miles from Rappahannock station, 
and moving one mile beyond bivouacked in a wood, and 
killing our ox, we enjoyed a hearty meal to which we 
had been strangers for some time past. That night we 
posted strong guards and pickets under Captain Connor 
and sleeping soundly were up before daybreak the next 
morning and off. 

Being in entire ignorance of the country excepting 
the general directions, and the unreliable information wq 
gathered from the few inhabitants we met, and having 
no knowledge of the location of our forces except that 
they were falling back, and that the rear guard of cav- 
alry and artillery were engaged with the enemy in the 
direction of Warrenton, Sulphur Springs and Waterloo 
bridge, the booming of whose guns we could plainly hear, 
we felt exceedingly anxious to find our division. A regi- 
ment lost from its di^dsion, is like a soldier lost from his 
regiment, or a child from his home. Though it was exces- 
sively hot, and we had added to the length of our wearied 
march by a long detour in the early part of the day, the 
boys steadily pressed on over the hilly roads, with but 
few and short halts for rest or water. About four o'clock 
the spires of Warrenton were seen, and soon afterwards 
we passed through the town and moved about two miles 
down the Waterloo road, where we at length found our 
division, and bivouacked in a woods near the road, hav- 
ing marched twenty miles. 

The next morning, the 27th our wagons arrived, and] 



SECOND BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 175 

rations were again served out to us, but the heads of the 
beef barrels had hardly been stove in before we received 
orders to march. This was rather hard for the boys, as 
they had had \)\it one ration of meat since the morning 
of the 16th. But there was no remedy, so the meat was 
packed in the wagons again, and we took up the line of 
march through Warrenton, past New Baltimore, and 
bivouacked at Buckland Mills, where Broad Run crosses 
the Alexandria and "Warrenton turnpike. 

The enemy during the preceding night having passed 
through Thoroughfare Gap, and cut the railroad in the 
neighborhood of Kettle Run, about six miles east of 
Warrenton Junction, were attacked on the afternoon of 
the 27th, by Hooker's division, about four miles west of 
Bristoe Station, and driven back along the railroad to 
Broad Run, where, at dark, he still confronted Hooker. 
The loss on each side was about three hundred killedand 
wounded, the enemy leaving his wounded, and much of 
his baggage on the battle-field. During the night Ewell' 
retired to Manassas Junction. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Second Battle of Bull Run. Conduct of General Fitz- 
JoKN Porter. The Army falls back. Battle of Chan- 
TiLLY. Arlington Heights. Upton's Hill. 

Second Battle of Bull Run, on the Plains of 
Manassas, July 28th, 29th, and 80th, — The next 
morning, the 28th, we commenced our march at three 
o'clock, and upon arriving at Gainesville about ten, the 
head of the column was fired upon by a battery of artil- 
lery posted on an elevation to our front and left. The 
whole column was marvellously soon unwoven, and 
formed into line of battle and skirmishers advanced, but 
upon Cooper's rifled guns being brought to bear uDon 



176 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

them, they witlidrew, but not, however, before some loss 
had been sustained on our side; the adjutant of the 
Eighth Eeserve hosing a leg, and one man being killed 
and five wounded. This was supposed to be merely a 
demonstration by the enemy to save a wagon train, 
which was seen moving off" on the Sudley Springs road. 
We then resumed our march, striking across the country 
towards Manassas Junction, in the neighborhood of 
which a portion of the enemy's forces, under Generals 
Jackson, Ewell, and A. P. Hill, were posted, the object 
being to cut off this force to the east, from the main 
body under General Lee, who were advancing from the 
west, through Thoroughfare Gap. 

About five o'clock in the afternoon, it being ascer 
tained the enemy had moved from ^Manassas towards 
Centreville early in the day, we turned off to the left, 
near Bethlehem Church, and took the Sudley Spring 
road towards the Warrenton pike. About this time a 
*heavy cannonading was heard, which continued until it 
grew into the thunder of a desperate battle. We had 
already marched many long and weary hours and miles, 
but tired and exhausted we pressed on until the musketry 
firing became distinct, the flashing was seen and the 
mingling voices of the combatants were heard. It was 
after nine o'clock that night, after a march of eighteen 
hours and twenty-eight miles, with many of the men 
without any thing to eat, that we arrived upon the battle- 
field, and stretched our wearied limbs upon the grass to 
sleep. 

King's division of our Corps had encountered, near 
Groveton, Jackson's force, whom Kearney had in the 
afternoon driven out of Centreville, and who were re- 
treating towards Thoroughfare Gap, to form a junction 
with the main army. About the same time Kickett s 
division became engaged with Longstreet's Corps, near 
Thoroughfare Gap, about eight miles further west. Both 
actions were severe, but not decisive for either side. 

Early the next morning, the 29th, the Reserves were 



PLAINS OF MAXASSAS. 17 

formed and moved forward to meet the enemy. We 
advanced some distance and passed through a woods 
into an open plain, where we were drawn up on the left 
of a vast mass of troops and ])ushed into a woods beyond. 
Soon we were ordered back, and then commenced a 
series of marches and countermarches through the hot 
sun and under a never-ceasing fire of shot and shell, 
until late in the afternoon, without pulling a trigger, 
he day was extraordinarily hard on the men of our 
jgiment, who were worn out and weak, they having 
had but one ration of meat in thirteen days, and but little 
to eat the day before, and nothing this day. 

The day was opened by Sigel attacking the enemy 
early in the morning, a mile or two east of Groveton. 
Jackson fell back several miles, but was so closely 
pressed, that he was compelled to make a stand. He 
accordingly took up a position with his left in the neigh- 
borhood of Sudley Springs, his right a little to the south 
of Warrenton turnpike, and his line covered by an old 
railroad grade which leads from Gainesville in the direc- 
tion of Leesburs^. His batteries, which were numerous, 
and some of them of heavy calibre, were posted behind 
the ridges, in the open ground on both sides of Warren- 
ton turnpike, whilst the mass of his troops was sheltered 
in dense woods behind the railroad embankment. Heint- 
zelman's corps occupied the right of our line, General 
Sigel the centre, and the Pennsylvania Reserves, under 
Reynolds, the extreme left, south of the Warrenton turn- 
pike. A portion of Reno's force was in the line, and a 
portion held in reserve, in the rear of the centre. 

Up to four o'clock very severe skirmishes occurred 
constantly at various points on our line, being brought 
on at every indication that the enemy made of a dispo- 
sition to retreat, the object being to hold them until 
Porter and McDowell with the rest of his corps could 
turn their right and rear, when it was confidently ex- 
pected we would be able to overwhelm or capture the 
larger portion of Jackson's forces before he could be 

12 



178 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

reinforced. At two o'clock, wlien Porter and McDowell 
should have been in the positions assigned them, they 
had not arrived, and peremptory orders were sent by 
General Pope to Porter, to advance and attack the enemy. 
At half-past five o'clock, when it w^as confidently ex- 
pected that Porter was coming into action in compliance 
with orders, Generals Heintzelman and Eeno, on the 
right, commenced an assault upon the enemy's left. The 
attack was made with great gallantry, and the whole 
of the left of the enemy was doubled back towards his 
centre, and our forces, after a sharp conflict of an hour 
and a half, occupied the field of battle, with the dead 
and wounded of the enemy. In this attack Grover's 
brigade broke through two of the enemy's lines and 
penetrated to the third before it could be checked. By 
this time General McDowell arrived on the field with the 
balance of his corps, which was pushed to the front 
along the Warrenton turnpike to fall upon the enemy, 
who was retreating towards the pike from the direction 
of Sudley Springs. 

This attack was made by King's division at about 
sunset, but by that time the advance of the main body 
of the enemy, under Longstreet, had begun to reach the 
field, and he encountered a stubborn and determined 
resistance at a point about three-fourths of a mile in 
front of our line of battle. 

While the attack was being made on the enemy's left, 
General Reynolds was ordered to threaten their right 
and rear, which he proceeded to do under a heavy fire 
of artillery from the ridge to the left of the pike. This 
battery of heavy guns it was determined to attempt to 
capture, for which purpose the First Reserves, Colonel 
Roberts, and oar regiment. Colonel McCandless, were 
sent into a dense woods to the right from which we soon 
drove the enemy's skirmishers without any loss. Hav- 
ing advanced through the woods to the opening upon 
the opposite side, we displayed ourselves to attract the 
attention of the enemy, who soon opened upon us a 



PLAINS OF MANASSAS. 179 

most terrific fire of shell and grape, to whicli we could 
give no response. Having succeeded, hoAvever, in draw- 
ing the fire from the storming party, we laid down 
quietly and watched our comrades on the left. Generals 
Seymour and Jackson, at the head of their brigades, 
most gallantly led them to the charge, but notwithstand- 
ing the steadiness and courage shown by the men, they 
were compelled to fall back before the heavy artillery 
and musketry fire which met them both on the front 
and left flank. 

The fire for a time was drawn from ns, but soon again 
it returned, the iron hail whistling and bursting over 
our heads through the woods, tearing the branches from 
the trees and scattering the bark in every direction. It 
was here that young Poulson of Company K was killed. 
As the storming party had been driven back and as 
there was no further use of our maintaining the posi- 
tion. Colonel McCandless withdrew the regiment in good 
order from the woods, and we fell back over the fields 
with the round shot and shell plowing up the ground 
and bursting over us. If we had had a battery of rifled 
guns, the result would probably have been different, but 
Eaaison's being smooth-bored, their range was too short. 
We withdrew to the position we moved from in the 
morning, the enemy occasionally sending round shot at 
long range among us. 

Whilst this attack was going on, the forces under 
Heintzelman and Reno continued to push the left of the 
enemy in the direction of the Warrenton turnpike, so 
that about ei^ht o'clock in the evening, the greater por- 
tion of the field of battle was in our possession. Bay- 
ard's cavalry also made an attack on the extreme left, 
which ended the fighting for the day, which we could 
safely now claim as ours. 

In regard to the conduct of General Fitz John Porter, 
the following is extracted from the ofiicial report of 
General Pope : 

"Nothing was heard of General Porter up to that time^ 



180 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

(eight, P. M.,) and his force took no part whatever in the 
action, but were suffered by him to lie idle on their arras 
within sight ar>d sound of the battle during the whole 
day. So far as I know, he made no effort whatever to 
comply with my orders nor to take any part in the 
action. I do not hesitate to say, that if he had dis- 
charged his duty, as became a soldier under the circum- 
stances, and had made a vigorous attack on the enemy, 
as he was expected and directed to do, at any time up to 
eight o'clock that night, we should have utterly crushed 
or captured the larger portion of Jackson's force before 
he could have been by any possibility sufficiently rein- 
forced to have made any effective resistance. I did not 
myself feel for a moment that it was necessary for me, 
having given General Porter an order to march towards 
the enemy in a particular direction, to send him in addi- 
tion specific orders to attack, it being his clear duty, 
and in accordance with every military precept, to have 
brought his forces into action wherever he encountered 
the enemy, when a furious battle with that enemy was 
raging during the whole day in his immediate presence. 
I believe — in fact, I am positive — that at five o'clock 
in the afternoon of the 29th, General Porter had in his 
front no considerable body of the enemy. I believed 
then, as I am very sure now, that it was easily practi- 
cable for him to have turned the right flank of Jackson, 
and to have fallen upon his rear ; that if he had done so, 
we should have gained a decisive victory over the army 
under Jackson, before he could have been joined by any 
of the forces of Longstreet ; and that the army of Gene- 
ral Lee would have been so crippled and checked by the 
destruction of this large force as to have been no longer 
in condition to prosecute further operations of an aggres- 
sive character. I speak thus freely of the strange failure 
of General Porter, not because I am more convinced of 
its unfortunate results now than I was at that time, but 
because a full investigation of the whole subject, made 



PLAINS OF MANASSAS. 181 

by a court-martial has fully justified and confirmed that 
opinion." 

Our loss during the day was estimated by General 
Pope at from six to eight thousand killed and wounded, 
and Generals Hooker and Kearney, who had been over 
the whole field, separately estimated the loss of the enemy 
at from two to one, and from three to one of our own. 

The weary and hungry boys had just thrown them- 
selves upon the ground to sleep, when orders came for 
our brigade to go on picket. Picket on the battle-field 
means to be in line of battle within a short distance of 
the enemy, and to be prepared at any moment for an 
attack in force. We silently moved off to a woods on 
the edge of which we were concealed, with pickets about 
twenty yards in advance of us. In our front, and within 
hearing of their voices, were the foe reposing on their 
arms. A sleepless night was passed, but at last dawn 
came, and we were relieved and marched back to the 
division. 

The men of our regiment were now absolutely suffer- 
ing for food, and were worn down by constant marching, 
fighting and loss of sleep, and unfit for the battle-field, 
until they had rest and rations. Many of them were so 
utterly exhausted that it was necessary to send them to 
the rear, as they could not continue with us. The brave 
boys who had been without food for two days, and had 
hardly murmured before, now commenced complaining, 
and four of them came to appeal to the Colonel. Mc- 
Candless heard their story, which he knew was too true, 
and turning to his saddle-bags, drew forth two buns 
which he had just received from an aid, and breaking 
them in half, distributed them, remarking, " Now, I have 
fed the regiment." The men seeing this, complained no 
more. 

Soon after we marched to the right of the Warrenton 
pike, and a few boxes of crackers were distributed 
among us, giving to each man about five. We then 
hurried into line and moved forward, crossing Young's 



182 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

creek, where we found a number of wounded men wlio 
were collected and sent to the rear. Moving forward, 
we were deployed as skirmishers to the left of the 
'' Bucktails," over a rising piece of ground flanked on 
either side by heavy woods. As we advanced a pretty 
but sad sight presented itself It was the dead of the 
preceding day, most of whom at this point were the 
Fourteenth Brooklyn, dressed in their large flowing red 
trousers and blue jackets. Through the gray of the 
morning they resembled Zouaves sleeping peacefully 
upon the ground, and interspersed with them as we 
approached nearer, we could see the blue coats and gray 
jackets taking their last sleep also. This was the pretty 
sight, but when we crept up stealthily among them on 
our bellies watchmg for the foe, it was sad to gaze upon 
their cold pale faces, and think of the happy ones at 
home that would soon be steeped in anguish for the loss 
of the brave but still hearts that laid around us. 

After feeling for the enemy for some time they were 
found occupying a store and some out-buildings about 
three hundred yards in advance of us, from which they 
kept up a brisk fire. Leaving a portion of the skirmish- 
ers to occupy their attention, McCandless moved with 
the balance to the left, and under cover of the woods 
crept up upon them, but the scamps were too wide- 
awake to be caught, they skedaddling before we could 
flank them. Taking up a position in the buildings and 
the extreme edge of the woods, a sharp fire was opened 
by both sides across a broad field, beyond which the 
enemy were posted in a woods, with their sharp-shooters 
in the trees, from which they were dropped in a lively 
manner by volleys from squads of our men who marked 
every tree from which smoke issued. While at this work 
Captain Connors received a severe wound from a rifle- 
ball passing through his right breast. At the same time 
a brave little "Bucktail," who was going "to try my 
luck," got knocked over. 

As it was desirable to ascertain more fully the strength 



i 



PLAINS OF MANASSAS. 183 

of the enemy in our front, we were ordered to advance, 
and with loud cheers we crossed the field that intervened 
between us and the foe, driving them before us, and 
pressing on about four hundred yards when we lialted. 
In the meantime a masked battery was discovered to 
our right and front about three hundred yards, and a 
large force of infantry and artillery on our left and rear 
about twelve hundred yards distant. By this time the 
Third Eeserve, Colonel Sickel, come to our support, but 
McCandless seeing the critical position we were in, 
ordered us to retire, which we did with the utmost 
deliberation and order, some of the men stopping to 
destroy muskets left upon the field by the enemy. A 
fine brass howitzer was also found in the road, which 
would have been brought off had not the spokes of its 
wheels been cut. Taking up our former position we 
laid down and were cpiiet for about an hour without the 
enemy molesting us in the least. 

It was now near two o'clock and the day thus far bad 
been remarkably quiet, nothing but a little skirmishing 
going on. Up to ten o'clock in the morning every 
indication pointed to the retreat of the enemy from our 
front along the Warrenton pike in the direction of 
Gainesville. Our line was formed with Heintzelman's 
Corps on the right, Eeno's next, Sigel's next, and Porter's 
on the left and the Warrenton pike, and the Eeserves on 
the extreme left, south of the turnpike, they being the 
pivot in the attack which Porter's Corps was to make 
on the enemy's right wing, then supposed to be on the 
pike and in retreat. About this time, two o'clock. 
Porter's Corps supported by King's division of Mc- 
Dowell's Corps, attacked the enemy along the pike, and 
at the same time, Heintzelman and Eeno on the right 
were ordered to push forward to the left and front 
towards the pike, and attack the enemy's flank. 

It was soon after this attack, that our line of skir- 
mishers fell back over the field, and when General Eey- 
nolds saw it he inquired of Colonel McCandless why he 



184 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

had withdrawn, and upon being informed the eneTiiy 
were on our left, he replied it was impossible. Putting 
spurs to his horse he boldly dashed through our skir- 
mishers to the left and passing into the open ground 
beyond, he found a line of skirmishers of the enemy 
nearly parallel to our line covering the left flank, with 
cavalry formed behind them, perfectly stationary, evi- 
dently masking a column of infantry, formed for attack 
on our left flank when our line should be sufficiently 
advanced. The skirmishers hoping for a rich prize 
opened lire upon him, but he run the gauntlet and gained 
the division, losing an orderly who followed him. 

It was now apparent that the enemy was not falling 
back, but massing his troops on the south of the pike to 
turn our left flank, and General Reynolds upon commu- 
nicating the fact to General McDowell was directed by 
him to form his division to resist this attack, the dispo- 
sitions for which were rapidly completed. Our line fell 
back over the same ground we advanced on in the 
morning, crossing the creek, and joining our division 
which was drawn up on the Ball Hill in rear of a heavy 
woods. Our guns to the right of us were soon engaged 
with a batter}^, whose range they soon got, and forced to 
withdraw. 

Farther to our right and front, in the woods covering 
the right of the field we first skirmished over in the 
morning. Porter's Corps was hotly engaged with the 
enemy, and from the number of brigades we saw going 
into the "woods some hours before we had strong hope 
they would be able at least to hold their ground, as they 
were fresh troops, having arrived upon the field that day. 
But Porter's attack was not with the vigor or persistency 
it should have been, and soon it retired in considerable 
conl'usion. 

The Reserves were then ordered across the field to 
the rear of Porter, to form a line, behind w^hich his troops 
might be rallied, but before the rear of our column had 
left the position the threatened attack by the enemy's 



PLAIN'S OF MANASSAS. 185 

riglit began to be felt, and tbe rear brigade, Tinder Colonel 
Anderson of the Ninth Reserve (the gallant Colonel 
Jackson having been taken sick on the field early in the 
day), with throe batteries of artillery, were obliged to 
form on the ground on which they found themselves to 
oppose it. With the remaining two brigades we hurried 
on across the field to the right under a heavy fire of 
round shot and shell, passing by the Eobinson house 
across a road, our course being diverted by the difficult 
nature of the ground, and the retreating masses of the 
broken columns, among the troops of Heintzelman's 
Corps already formed, by which much time was lost and 
confusion created, which allowed the enemy to sweep 
u.p with his right, so far as almost to cut us off from the 
pike, leaving nothing but the Third brigade, the three 
batteries of artillery of the Reserves, Tower's two 
Brigades and McLean's to resist the advance of the enemy 
on our left. This attack on the Ball Hill was too severe 
for the troops to hold it long under the hot fire the 
enemy maintained upon it, and after heavy loss, little 
by little they were compelled to yield it. It was here 
that the most severe loss of the Reserves was sustained, 
both in men and material ; Kern losing his four guns, 
but not until wounded and left on the field ;, Cooper, his 
caissons. Colonel Harding, Twelfth Reserve, was here 
severely wounded. The brigade sustained itself most 
gallantly, and though severely pushed on both front and 
flank maintained its position until overwhelmed by 
numbers, when it fell back, taking up new positions 
wherever the advantages of ground permitted. 

Our two brigades and battery took up a position on 
the brow of a' hill, near a road, from which we overlooked 
n large portion of the field, and Porter's troops com- 
menced forming behind us, but on account of the posi- 
tion at the Ball house being forced by the enemy, we 
were ordered over to the extreme left, and took up a 
position on the Henry House Hill. There we were 
formed in column of brigade, with Ransom's battery of 



186 OUK CAMPAIGNS. 

Napoleons in our front, who were throwing their shells 
at long range upon the heavy masses of the enemy, who 
were advancing upon us. Here, under a most terrific 
shower of shell we remained for nearly an hour, with the 
brave boys falling around us, but all in good heart, 
hoping yet to gain the day. While here, an act of hero- 
ism was performed that has seldom been surpassed upon 
any field. A shell dropped a few feet in front of the 
left of our regiment, which naturally recoiled from it, 
when the fiery missile was seized by a non-commissioned 
officer and hurled into a hole. 

At last we saw line after line of our troops giving way, 
as the enemy came sweeping on in dense columns, shout- 
ing their victorious huzzahs as they advanced. If this 
position was lost, our left wing would be turned and the 
enemy would interpose his force between the main body 
of our army and Centreville, on the Warrenton pike, at 
the crossing of Bull Eun creek, and the result would be 
fearful. Therefore it was necessary for us to maintain 
it at all hazards. Onward the well-dressed lines of the 
enemy advanced, when, "forward Keserves!" shouted 
the gallant Reynolds, as he dashed the spurs into his 
horse's sides, and led the charge, followed by a mass of 
living valor, whose loud cheers drowned the roar of 
battle. The columns met, like the meeting of contending 
waves of the ocean, babbling up and foaming over — but 
the rear ranks pressed on, trampling the wounded and 
the dead under their feet, till faltering and trembling, 
the gallant enemy were hurled back upon the denser 
masses that supported them, and were advancing through 
the woods. The scene at this moment was the most 
magnificently grand man ever, beheld. ■ In the van, 
towering above the masses, rode the gallant Reynolds, 
waving aloft a standard shot from its staff. Near him 
was the cool-headed Meade, who in the heat of battle 
almost became excited as he urged the men forward, and 
next followed Seymour with his brigade, who by the 



PLAINS OF MANASSAS. 187 

gentle waving of his "hand restrained the ardor of his 
men and preserved the distinctness of the lines. 

Onward we pressed, pushing the enemy into the woods, 
when their reserve of five or six lines deep opened upon 
us a withering fire, while several batteries of artillery 
that had obtained our exact range, poured into us their 
flaming missiles, which bursting in our midst, produced 
fearful havoc. At the same time, the enemy from their 
vastly superior numbers were able to turn our left flank 
into which they poured a rapid and destructive fire of 
musketry. The struggle here became most fearful, and 
it was a long while before our lines could be forced back. 
But at last, slowly and in good order we yielded the 
ground, and fell back to our original position, near 
which we reformed and again held the foe at bay, rein- 
forced by a brigade of regulars, under Lieutenant-colo- 
nel Buchanan. After dark, having been forced back 
about three-quarters of a mile, but still covering the 
turnpike, we withdrew, but not until our ammunition 
had become almost exhausted, and almost the whole 
army had been withdrawn from the field. The Third- 
brigade soon afterwards rejoined us, and in the early 
part of the night we marched toward Centreville, and 
bivouacked with Sykes' division upon the east bank of 
Cub Eun. 

When we were forced to yield the ground to the enemy. 
Colonel McCandless, whilst most gallantly urging the 
men on, received a severe wound in the right thigh, near 
the groin, and seizing the flag he attempted to push on 
with it, but was taken from the field by main force, by 
Captain Mealey, and the flag saved.* 

Lieutenant James C. Justus, who, though sick, had con- 
tinued with the regiment from Harrison's Landing, was 
taken from the field utterly prostrated^ and sent to 
Washington. 

On account of Company G being detached, and the 

* See Appendix A. 



188 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

number of sick and those who had given out from ex- 
haustion and want of food, we entered that day's battle 
with but one hundred men. 

In the official report of General Reynolds, the loss of 
our division is put down at six hundred and fifty-three 
men, and the conduct of our regiment and Colonel 
McCandless is complimentarily noticed, as also in the 
reports of Generals Seymour and McDowell. 

Of our Generals and Division, General Pope says : 
" Brigadier-General John F. Reynolds, commanding the 
Pennsylvania Reserves, merits the highest commendation 
at my hands. Prompt, active, and energetic, be com- 
manded his division witb distinguished ability through- 
out the operations, and performed his duties in all situa- 
tions with zeal and fidelity. Generals Seymour and 
Meade, of that division, in like manner, -performed their 
duties with ability and gallantry and in all fidelity to the 
Government and to the army." 

Early on the 31st, our division marched to Centreville 
and halted on the right of the road. It had been raining 
through the night and during the morning until ten 
o'clock, it was very heavy. The houses in the town 
were crowded with our wounded, and the road thronged 
with soldiers of every arm of the service, trying to find 
their respective commands. Wagons were moving to 
and fro, generals, aids, and orderlies were galloping 
about, and squads of prisoners sent to the rear, and long 
trains of ambulances were pushing towards Washington. 
Omnibusses, carriages and other vehicles lined the roads 
and covered the fields in every direction, the Government 
having impressed all they could find in Washington, 
Georgetown, and Alexandria, and sent them out for the 
wounded. Large droves of horses, tied to long ropes 
were also sent from the Government corals at Washing- 
ton. Almost all the Government employees, and many 
citizens also came out, and emptied their pockets of all 
the tobacco and post stamps they had, as those articles 
were in groat demand among the soldiers. 



TO FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. 189 

About eleven o'clock the division was marched about 
two miles down the pike and halted, when coffee and 
crackers were issued, and we soon got our ■ fires burning. 
This was a perfect god-send to us, every mouthful of 
coffee we drank seeming like so much life passing into us. 
We remained here a couple of hours, when we marched 
back to Centre ville, and halted until near dark, and had 
salt beef served up to us, it being the second time we had 
meat during sixteen days. Just before dark our division 
was sent out to relieve General Reno, who occupied the 
position of Cub Run, our artillery shelling the woods as 
we advanced. Our position was on a range of high hills, 
covered with heavy woods and dense undergrowth, in 
which we rested on our arms all night, the enemy not 
disturbing us, excepting for a while when we were taking 
our position, when they sent their little bees humming 
around our ears. It was a long night of watching for 
our wearied men, through the rain, but at last the wel- 
comed morninor came and we were relieved and marched 
back beyond Centreville. As we came in we passed 
hundreds of ambulances and army wagons going to the 
field after the wounded, a flag of truce being arranged for 
that purpose. 

That morning, September the 1st, we were mustered 
for pay by Captain James N. Byrnes, upon whom the 
command of the regiment devolved, he being the senior 
officer ; all our field officers being wounded. The day 
before was the proper day, but it was impracticable. 

It having been ascertained that the enemy were at- 
tempting to turn our right, and cut off our communica- 
tions with Washington, by moving a large force on 
the Little river or Aldie turnpike, towards Fairfax 
Court House, our army was stretched along the Warren- 
ton and Alexandria pike, from Centreville to beyond the 
Court House. At noon we moved off' down the pike, 
marching on the fields along the sides of the road which 
was filled with continuous strings of wagons, moving 
both ways. A little before sunset, just as our division 



190 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

had passed in front of Chantilly, an attack was made by 
the enemy on the troops in our rear, and we were put in 
position in a large open field in reserve. The battle 
raged furiously for some time, the shot and shell falling 
among us, but doing little damage to our division. In 
the midst of it a terrific thunder storm occurred, and it 
appeared as if heaven and earth were contending for the 
mastery. But the darkness of night terminated the con- 
flict, the enemy was driven entirely back from our front, 
but the gallant Generals Kearney and Stevens fell. "We 
then moved off, a short distance and bivouacked on the 
outskirts of Fairfax Court House, it continuing to rain 
all night. 

The next morning our appetites were sharpened by 
the sight of several beeves driven in to our butchers, but 
before the hides were fairly taken off of them orders 
were received to march, but the boys cut some good 
slices from them and took along. Marching down the 
road, we passed through Fairfax to Anandale, where we 
turned to the left, and after a halt of an hour we moved 
on past Ball's cross roads to near Arlington Heights, 
where we bivouacked for the night. On the road we 
passed large numbers of wagons, artillery and fresh 
troops. The new regiments were easily distinguished by 
their white faces and full knapsacks, the one of which 
Old Sol had tanned for us, and the other we had learned 
to do without. 

During the day there was some artillery fighting in 
the direction of Vienna, but before nine o'clock at night, 
all the command was inside the intrenchments of Wash- 
ington, excepting three corps on the Vienna and Chain 
Bridge roads, that did not arrive until the next day. 

It may as well be stated here that General Banks was 
stationed along the railroad, charged with the safety of 
the wagon and railroad trains, and as during no time on 
the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st of August, the road was. 
interrupted between Bristoe Station and Alexandria they 
were withdrawn with very little loss. 



porter's coxduct. 191 

The next morning, the 3d, we moved about three 
miles to near the Arlington House, the late residence of 
the Confederate General, Eobert E. Lee, where we laid 
in the woods until four o'clock the next afternoon, when 
we marched to Upton's Hill. 

Here terminated our campaign with the army of Vir- 
ginia, under General Pope, which, though short, was 
arduous and severe, and its failure is not to be attributed 
to the want of generalship on the part of the command- 
ing general or his subordinates. The conduct of Gene- 
ral Fitz John Porter, on the 29th, when the golden op- 
portunity of crushing a divided foe was lost, proved fatal 
to the army the next day, and so clear a case was made 
out against him, by General Pope in his report, as to 
leave no doubt upon the subject. He was subsequently 
dismissed from the service by a court-martial, and dis- 
qualified from ever holding any office of honor or trust 
under the Government. 

It may seem impossible to some that General Porter 
could be guilty of so dark a crime, but it must be 
remembered that the heart of man is now governed by the 
same impulses it ever has been from the earliest record, 
and that history furnishes many instances of men sacri- 
ficing their fortunes, lives, souls and even country, to 
avenge an insult their pride could not brook, and the 
only explanation we know, of the conduct of Porter, was 
the unfortunate address to the Army of Virginia, issued 
by General Pope upon assuming command of it, in 
which he indirectly insulted General McClellan and his 
counsellors of the Army of the Potomac. 

General Pope estimated his forces on the morning of 
the oOth as follows : " McDowell's corps, including Eey- 
nold's division, twelve thousand men ; Sigel's corps, 
seven thousand men ; Eeno's corps, seven thousand ; 
Heintzelmen's corps, seven thousand men ; Porter's 
corps, which had been in no engagements, and was, or 
ought to have been, perfectly fresh, I estimated at about 
twelve thousand men, including the brigade of Piatt, 



192 OUR CAMPATG^"S. 

whicli formed a part of Sturgis' division, and the only 
portion that ever joined me. But of this force the brig- 
ades of Piatt and of Griffin, numbering, as I understood, 
about five thousand men, had been suffered to march off 
at daylight on the 30th to Centreville, and were not 
available for operations on that day This reduced Por- 
ter's effective force on the field to about seven thousand 
men, which gave me a total force of forty thousand men. 
Banks' corps, about five thousand strong, was at Bristow 
Station, in charge of the railroad trains, and of a portion 
of the wagon trains of the army still at that place." 

Of these the general says : " As may be supposed, our 
troops, who had been so continually marching and fight- 
ing for so many days, were in a state of great exhaustion. 
They had had little to eat for two days previous, and the 
artillery and cavalry horses had been in harness and 
saddled continually for ten days, and had had no forage 
for two days pr^ious. It may easily be imagined how 
little these troops, after such severe labor, and after un- 
dergoing such hardships and privations, were in condi- 
tion for active and efficient service." 

In our regiment early on the 29th, it was well known 
that some trouble existed between Generals Pope and 
Porter, and that the latter would not render a cordial 
cooperation. This was the common conversation among 
the officers and men, who had gathered it upon the field, 
and we may here remark that among old troops it is 
almost a matter of impossibility to conceal the object of 
any extraordinary movements from them. There are 
always among the many thousand eyes that are watching, 
some who can divine the truth. 



MARCH THROUGH MARYLAND. 193 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Crossing THE Potomac. March theouch Marylakd. Battle 
OF South Mountain. Remarkable Incident. 

The army having been withdrawn to the defences of 
Washinton, General McClellan was assigned to the com- 
mand of it on the 2d of September. It soon after being 
ascertained that the enemy intended to cross the Upper 
Potomac into Maryland, our army was put in motion to 
again meet them. 

On the 6th, company G, Captain Reitzel, rejoined us, 
they having marched down the Peninsula with the wagon 
trains, and the same night aboat nine o'clock we fell in 
and marched off through the woods to the pike, passing 
a long line of ambulances, carriages and wagons filled 
Avith our wounded from the late field, and passing over 
to Washington on the Long Bridge, we proceeded 
through the city to its outskirts on the Leesboro road 
where we laid down about two o'clock A. M. After 
a short repose, we were up and moved soon after light 
to Leesboro, ten miles distance, where we laid in a scrub 
woods until noon on the 9th, when we marched through 
Mechanics^dlle to near Brookville, and bivouacked about 
sunset. We were forced to leave at Leesboro, under 
charge of a guard, all our ammunition, rations and bag- 
gage, as our wagons were unloaded and taken to AVash- 
ington, ostensibly for clothing, and did not rejoin the 
regiment until after Antietam. 

About noon the next day we moved to the head 
waters of the Patuxent river and bivouacked, and the 
next day to near Poplar springs. We were now ap- 
proaching the neighborhood of the enemy, a company 
of whom were at the springs the night before. There, 
and all through Maryland where they had been, we found 
they had taken whatever they wanted, leaving the 

13 



194 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

farmers almost destitute, paying for the articles in Con- 
fedefate money and quartermaster's orders tliat were not 
worth the paper they were written oi;. 

On the 12th, at the urgent request of His Excellency 
Governor Curtin, General Reynolds Avas detached from 
the command of the Reserves, and ordered to Pennsyl 
vania for the purpose of organizing the militia of the 
State and preparing them for armed resistance to the 
enemy, and General Meade was ordered to assume his 
position. On the morning of the same day we marched, 
and striking the Baltimore and Frederick turnpike 
passed through Ridgeville and New Market, bivouack- 
ing about four miles beyond the latter place. All along 
the route we heard the complaints of the inhabitants of 
the plundering operations of the ''Liberating Army," 
that came to free "My Maryland" from the "oppressor's 
heel," and bring back hito "their" old Union all the 
States. Their liberating operations, however, seemed 
to partake much of the nature of the vultures, coveting 
and devouring. 

The next morning we marched about four miles, 
crossing the Monocacy and halting for the day and night 
on its bank^. A brisk artillery skirmish took place 
during the day about eight miles from here on the side 
of the mountains, where we could plainly see the smoke 
of the guns. The day before a skirmish took place here, 
the enemy trying to blow up the turnpike bridge over 
the Monocacy, but were frustrated in their design by our 
cavalry. They were also driven out of Frederick, where 
there was a smart little street fight. While in possession 
of the city, the " Liberators " ordered all the stores to be 
opened, which they soon emptied of their contents, pay- 
ing for the same in their worthless trash. They also 
opened a recruiting office, but did not do a very thriving 
business. 

On our march from Washington, Lieutenants Black, 
Company E, and Manton, Company B, were taken sick, 



BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN". 195 

and with others of the regiment were sent back to the 
hospitals. 

Our army, which had been slowly moving through 
Maryland in five columns between the Potomac river 
and the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad, covering both 
Washington and Baltimore, was now concentrated near 
Frederick following closely the retiring foe. During 
the march the progress of reorganization, rendered 
necessary after the demoralizing effects of the disastrous 
campaign upon the Virginia side of the Potomac, rapidly 
progressed, the troops regaining their confidence and 
spirit, and being anxious to again meet the enemy. 

Battle of South Mountain, September 14th. — On 
Sunday, the 14th of September, the reveille was sounded 
at three o'clock, and after coffee and crackers we took 
■up our march, passing through Frederick, whose inhabi- 
tants were hardly up, yet we found many flags waving 
and bright eyes peering from the windows. We moved 
on the National road winding up the Catoctin Mountains 
past Fairview to Jerusalem on the summit, where the 
day before an artillery fight had taken place much to 
the discomfort of the enemy, one of whose caissons was 
exploded. This mountain separates the valley of the 
Monocacy from that of Catoctin, and the scenery on 
both sides is magnificent, equalling almost any of the 
kind we ever saw. Beyond was the South Mountains 
from whose side issued puffs of smoke from guns of the 
enemy, whose reports came booming over the valley. 
About noon we marched through Middletown, a pretty 
and thriving place, whose inhabitants turned out en 
raasse to welcome us and cheer us on our way to battle. 
Never was a more cordial welcome given to troops than 
was given to us. Bread, cakes, milk, water, fruit and 
tobacco, were freely given by the good people who 
crowded the doors and windows and lined the pave- 
ments, and flags and handkerchiefs were waved and 
flowers thrown as we passed. We felt then, for the first 
time during the war, we were fighting among friends. 



196 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Marching on with happy hearts we crossed the Catoctin 
where the enemy had burned the bridge, mill and sur- 
rounding houses, and halted near its banks to make 
coffee. 

During the morning General Pleasanton, with his 
cavalry and horse artillery, had been skirmishing with 
the enemy, and had at last driven them to Turner's Gap, 
of the South Mountains, where they determined to make 
a stand. The mountain at this point is about one thou- 
sand feet high, and there are two country roads, one to 
the north and the other to the south of the turnpike or 
National road, which gave access to the crests overlook- 
ing the main road. The one on the north is called the 
'' Old Hagerstown road," and the one on the south the 
'' Old Sharpsburg road." 

General Cox's division was sent to support Pleasanton, 
and the First brigade arrived about nine A. M., and was 
sent up the old Sharpsburgh road to feel the enemy and 
ascertain if he held the crest on that side in force. Such 
being found to be the case, upon the arrival of the other 
brigade. General Cox, being assured by Reno he would 
be supported by the whole of his corps, advanced to the 
assault. Two twenty-pound Parrots and four light guns 
were put in position near the pike, where they did good 
execution against the enemy's batteries in the gap. 
Colonel Scammon's brigade was deployed, and well 
covered with skirmishers, it moved up the slope to the 
left of the road to turn the enemy's right. It succeeded 
in gaining the crest in spite of the vigorous efforts of the 
enemy, who was posted behind stone walls and in the 
edge of timber, with a battery which poured into them 
canister and case shot. Colonel Cooke's brigade followed 
at supporting distance.. A section of a battery was 
moved up with great difficulty and opened with canister 
at very short range on the enemy's infantry, but Avas 
forced to withdraw. 

The enemy several times attempted to retake the 
crest, but were each time repulsed. They then with- 



BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN". 197 

drew their battery to a point more to the right, and 
formed columns on both our flanks. It was now about 
noon, and a lull occurred in the contest, which lasted 
until about two P. M., during which time the rest of the 
corps came up. Upon the arrival of General Wilcox's 
division, General Eeno ordered him to move up the old 
Sharpsburgh road and take a position to its right, over- 
looking the turnpike. Two regiments were detached to 
support General Cox, and a section of Captain Cook's 
battery was placed in position near the turn of the road, 
on the crest, and opened fire on the enemy's batteries 
across the gap. As the division was deploying, the 
enemy suddenly opened with a battery at short range, 
and drove Cook's cannoniers with their limbers from their 
guns and caused a temporary panic, in which the guns 
were nearly lost. But the Seventy -Ninth New York, 
and the Seventeenth Michigan rallied, and advancing 
soon restored order, and the division was formed in line 
on the right of Cox, and was kept concealed as much as^ 
possible under the hill side, until the whole line advanced. 
It lost heavily from the fire of the battery in front, and 
those on the other side of the turnpike. 

Shortly before this. Generals Burnside and Eeno ar- 
rived at the base of the mountains, and the latter was 
directed to move up the divisions of Sturgis and Eod- 
man to the crest by Cox and Wilcox, and to attack the 
enemy with his whole force as soon as Hooker, on the 
right, was well up the mountains. General Sturgis 
reached the scene of action about half-past three o'clock, 
and Clark's battery was sent to assist General Cox's left, 
and the Second Maryland and Sixth New Hampshire 
were detached and sent forward a short distance to the 
left of the turnpike. The balance of the division was 
formed in rear of Wilcox's, and Eodman's division was 
divided ; Colonel Fairchild's brigade being placed on the 
extreme left, and Colonel Harland's on the right. 

General McClellan ordered the whole line to niove for- 
ward and take or silence the enemy's batteries in front, 



198 ■ OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

which was executed with enthusiasm. The enemy made 
desperate resistance, charging our advancing lines with 
firmness, but they were every where routed and fled. 

The chief loss was in Wilcox's division. The enemy 
made an effort to turn our left about dark, but were re- 
pulsed, as also in their efforts to regain the lost ground 
in front of Sturgis and Cox. A lively fire was kept up 
until nearly nine o'clock, several charges being made by 
the enemy, and repulsed with slaughter, and we finally 
occupied the highest part of the mountains. General 
Eeno, a brave and skilful soldier, was killed just before 
sunset. 

While these operations were progressing on the left, 
the right, under General Hooker, was actively engaged, 
About two o'clock we moved forward from the Catoctin, 
on the main road, and turned off to the right, on the old 
llagerstown road, passing through the woods and over 
the fields, along the base of the mountains about one mile 
and a half, where we rested. While moving to this 
position, the enemy opened upon us with several pieces 
of artillery, throwing their shell in close proximity, 
which caused great consternation among the citizens, 
who accompanied us to see the fun. The children laid 
down upon the ground, the women shrieked, and the 
men displayed wondrous agility in leaping the fences, 
which caused considerable amusement among us. 

General Seymour, whose brigade occupied the ex- 
treme right, deployed the " Bucktails" as skirmishers to 
feel the enemy, with our regiment about fifty yards in 
their rear, as a support. Advancing up the foot hills, 
we soon became enffasjed, and drove them from a farm 
house, where they made considerable resistance, during 
which the lines of the two regiment became mixed and 
were not again fully separated. We drove the enemy 
a long distance, with the left wing of our regiment acting 
as a support, when coming to a stone wall, at the imme- 
diate base of the mountains, they rallied and made a 
stubborn resistance, but the impetuosity of the boys 



BATTLE OF SOUTH ilOUNTATN. 199 

carried them over it, when one of the most exciting and 
spirited fights took place we ever witnessed. The 
ground was of the most difficult character for the move- 
ment of troops, the mountain side being very steep and 
rocky, and obstructed by stone walls, rocks and timber, 
from behind which the enemy, in lines and squads kept 
up an incessant fire, as also from their guns posted upon 
the mountain tops. All order and regularity of the 
lines were soon destroyed, and the battle partook of the 
nature of a free fight, every one going in " on his own 
hook," as it suited his fancy. From wall after wall, and 
rock after rock, the enemy were driven until our glorious 
banners caught the gleam of the setting sun, that had 
been hid from our' sight by the mountain tops. Our 
loud cheers of victory arose from the crest, and was 
rolled down the mountain side. It was dark before the 
battle was over, and a desultory fire was continued until 
near nine o'clock. Towards the close of the battle, 
General Hooker ordered up General Duryea's brigade of 
Rickett's division, but they did not arrive until after the 
action closed, and upon their reaching the crest, they 
lustily cheered the Reserves. 

In his official report General McClellan says, " General 
Meade speaks highly of General Seymour's skill in hand- 
ling his brigade on the extreme right, securing by his 
manoeuvres the great object of the movement, the out- 
flanking of the enemy." 

While the Reserves were at work on the extreme 
right, General Hatch's division was engaged in a severe 
contest for the crest to our left, which they carried soon 
after dusk with considerable loss. General Gibbon with 
his brigade late in the afternoon moved up the turnpike 
and attacked the enemy's centre, and after a severe 
engagement which lasted until nine o'clock entirely 
delcatcd and drove him away."^ 

Just before the battle opened our Adjutant, A. T. 



See Appendix A. 



200 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Cross was detailed as an Aid to General Seymour and 
acted with conspicuous bravery. 

The troops we fought consisted of D. H. Hill's Corps, 
our old friend Longstreet's, and a portion of Jackson's, 
numbering about thirty thousand men. Our force was 
about the same, and our loss was three hundred and 
tweb/e killed, one thousand two hundred and thirty-four 
wounded and twenty-two missing, making an aggregate 
of one thousand, five hundred and sixty-eight. About 
fifteen hundred prisoners were taken by us during the 
battle, and the loss to the enemy in killed was much 
greater than our own, and probably also in wounded. 

That night we slept on the mountain, and found the 
heavy dews chilling and damp. To the west in the valley 
below us the enemy's camp-fires burnt brightly all night. 
Through the night ammunition was received and distri- 
buted to the men. About one o'clock, the Adjutant of 
the Fifth Alabama who was probably waking up the 
men of his regiment to withdraw them, got among our 
boys in mistake, who not admiring the rough shaking he 
gave them, coupled with the information that the " Yanks" 
were near, one of them got up and knocked him down, 
and took him prisoner. 

In the morning we were up early, and buried the 
dead. Among the enemy's was Colonel Gale of the 
Twelfth Alabama, a very gentlemanly looking fellow. 
Our pity was excited by a young Alabamian who had 
a musket ball through the forehead. He was uncon- 
scious, yet vitality in him was strong and he swallowed 
water freely. 

A rather remarkable incident occurred in this battle. 

In the regiment there was a man who had been 

through the Mexican and this war, but who had never 
been in a battle, he always shirking, and neither the 
threats of his ofiicers or ridicule of his comrades could 
induce him to go into danger, as he declared he had a 
presentiment when a boy that he would be killed the 
first fight he went into. Some of his comrades, however, 
determined he should go into this battle, and threatened 



300X360110' AXD KEEDYSVILLE. 2Q1 

to shoot liim if tie did not. Soon after his regiment got 
under fire he laid down behind a trunk of a tree where 
he was perfectly safe, but seeing a large rock a few feet 
from him, he got up to go to it, and the instant he rose 
he fell dead with nine of the enemy's balls in him. What 
ever could have induced him to go a soldiering a second 
time after he had discovered his failing we cannot 
imagine.* 

Before we left the field. General Seymour thanked 
Captain Byrnes and the regiment for their conduct 
during the battle. 

The Reserves moved off about nine A. M., but we 
were detained on the mountain until noon, when we 
marched to the turnpike along which we moved to 
Boonsboro', whpre we found the churches and buildings 
filled with the enemy's wounded. Large numbers of 
prisoners were also there under guard, and further on 
we passed many more, the most of whom had voluntarily 
come in and given themselves up to the citizens. Here 
early in the day our cavalry overtook the enemy's and 
charging them, killed and wounded a number and cap- 
tured two hundred and fifty prisoners and two guns. 

At Boonsboro' we turned to the left, and marched to 
Keedysville, where we halted for several hours. Here 
the boys were most liberally supplied with hot cakes 
and bread by Mr. John Cost, a good Union citizen of 
that place, and from whom Captain Byrnes got liquor 
enough to give the men a ration. Just before dark we 
moved off and bivouacked in an orchard. 

* Bravery is born in us and not acquired. It lies in the blood and 
is a species of instinct. It is involuntary, and depends not upon 
ourselves. It is always thoughtlessly impetuous and is inspired by 
the impulse of example, the bimdness arising from common danger, 
and the heat of battle. 

Courage, which is generally confounded with bravery, is not 
always united with it. It is in the soul, and is a real virtue, a sublime 
and noble sentiment. It is the result of reflection, of education and 
sometimes of misfortune. It is animated by patriotism, self-respect 
and a zeal for the cause engaged in. It is not inaccessible to fear ; 
but it overcomes it. Bravery in the hour of danger is sometimes 
wealienpd by reflection ; courage is always strengthened by it. 



202 OUE CAMPAIGNS 



CHAPTER XIX. 

The Battle of Antietam. Field Hospitals. The Enemy 

WITHDRAWN TO VIRGINIA. PoRTER'S ReCONNOISSANCE. ViSIT 

OP President Lincoln. 

During the day the army under McClellan had been 
concentrated in the neighborhood of Antietam creek^ 
where the enemy was found occupying a strong position 
on the heights to the westward of it. Some artillery 
firing had taken place between oar advance and the 
enemy, but it amounted to little on either side. 

Battle of Antietam, September 16th and 17th. — 
Antietam creek, in this vicinity, is crossed by four 
stone bridges — the upper one on the Keedysville and 
"Williamsport road ; the second on the Keedysville and 
Sharpsburg turnpike, some two and a half miles below ; 
the third about a mile below the second, on the Ehorer- 
ville and Sharpsburg ; and the fourth near the mouth of 
Antietam creek, on the j-oad leading from Harper's Ferry 
to Sharpsburg, some three miles below the third. The 
stream is sluggish, with few and difficult fords. 

The enemy had the mass of his troops concealed be- 
hind the heights to the west of the creek. Their left and 
centre were upon and in front of the Sharpsburg and 
Hagerstown turnpike, hidden by woods and irregulari- 
ties of the ground ; their extreme left resting upon a 
wooded eminence near the cross roads to the north of J. 
Miller's farm, their left resting upon the Potomac. Their 
line extending south, the right resting upon the hills to 
the south of Sharpsburg, near Sheavely's farm. On all 
favorable points the enemy's artillery was posted, and 
their reserves hidden from view by the hills, on which 
their line of battle was formed, could manoeuvre unob- 
served by our army, and from the shortness of their line 
could rapidly reinforce any point threatened by our 



BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 203 

attack. Their position, stretcliing across the angle 
formed by the Potomac and Antietam, their flanks aud 
rear protected by these streams, was one of the strongest 
to be found in this region of country, which is well 
adapted to defensive warfare. 

On the right, near Keedysville, on both sides of the 
Sharpsburg turnpike, were Sumner's and Hooker's corps. 
In advance, on the right of the turnpike and near Antie- 
tam creek. General Richardson's division of Sumner's 
corps was posted. General Sykes' division of General 
Porter's corps was on the left of the turnpike and in line 
with General Richardson's, protecting the bridge on the 
Keedysville and Sharpsburg pike. The left of the line, 
opposite to and some distance from the bridge on the 
Rohrersville and Sharpsburg road, was occupied by Gene- 
ral Burnside's corps. In front of General Sumner's and 
Hooker's corps, near Keedysville, and on the ridge of 
the first line of hills overlooking the Antietam, and 
between the pike and Fry's house on the right of the 
road were placed Captains Taft's, Von Kleiser's, and 
Lieutenant Weaver's batteries of 20-pounder Parrott 
guns. On the crest of the hill in -the rear and right of 
the bridge on the Rohrersville and Sharpsburg road; 
Captain Weed's 3 -inch and Lieutenant Benjamin's 20- 
pounder batteries, General Franklin's corps and Couch's 
division held a position in Pleasant valley in front of 
Brownsville, with a strong force of the enemy in their 
front. 

The enemy was commanded by General R. B. Lee, 
and their force was composed of General Jackson's, 
Longstreet's, D. H. Hill, Stuart, Ransom's, Jenkins', and 
other troops, and from information obtained by the ex- 
amination of prisoners, deserters, spies, etc., previous to 
the battle, they were estimated to number ninety-seven 
thousand four hundred and forty -five men for duty, and 
four hundred guns. Our own force, composed of the 
corps of General Hooker, Sumner, Porter, Franklin, 
Burnside, Banks; the divisions of Couch and Pleasanton 



204 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

numbered eiglity-seveii thousand one hundred and sixty- 
four. 

* About daylight on the 16th the enemy opened a 
heavy fire of artillery on our guns in position, which 
was promptly returned ; their fire being silenced for the 
time, but was frequently renewed during the day. Early 
in the morning our division moved ofi' to the right of 
the Keedysville and Williamsport road, where it laid 
until near three o'clock in the afternoon, during which 
time we received sugar, coffee, and a few crackers, the 
roads from Frederick being so crowded with masses of 
infantry, cavalry and artillery, as to delay the arrival of 
the supply trains. 

At this time our regiment numbered one hundred and 
seventy-one, rank and file, and four commissioned officers 
present for duty. Colonel McCandless, Lieutenant-colonel 
Woodward, and Major Neide being absent wounded, the 
command devolved upon Captain Byrnes. Adjutant 
Cross was acting as an aid to General Seymour. Captain 
Connors being wounded, the command of Company A 
devolved on Lieutenant Ross. Captain McDonough being 
on recruiting service, Lieutenant Jack absent woanded, 
and Lieutenant Manton absent sick, that of Company B, 
on Sergeant CuUen. Captain Byrnes being in command 
of the regiment, Lieutenant Robinson absent wounded, 
and Lieutenant Nightingale dead, that of Company C, on 
Sergeant Michael Crowley ; Captain Ellis having left his 
company. Lieutenant Curley being on recruiting service, 
and Lieutenant Young being absent sick, that of Com- 
pany D, on Orderly Sergeant Thomas Canavan. Captain 
Finnie being wounded. Lieutenant Black absent sick, 
\and Lieutenant Fletcher dead, that of Company E, on 
Orderly Sergeant John Taylor. Captain Reitzel and 
Lieutenant Rhoads being sick, that of Company G, on 
Lieutenant Wimpf heimer. Captain Mealey was the only 
of&cer present in C' )mpany H. Lieuteriants Kennedy and 
Clendinning being absent wounded, and Captain Smith 
being wounded. Lieutenant Harvey detached to the 



THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 205 

Signal Corps, and Lieutenant Justus being absent sick, 
Company K was commanded by Sergeant Thomas May. 
Companies C and K, jointly, were under the command 
of Sergeant-major Woodward. 

It was near three o'clock in the afternoon, when our 
division, followed by Eickett's and Doubleday's, which 
comprised Hooker's corps, crossed the Antietam at a ford 
and the upper bridge, and advanced to attack and, if 
possible, to turn the enemy's left. Som^ cavalry and 
Cooper's battery accompanied us, and after moving 
about a mile, we turned off into the fields to the left of 
the road, near the house of D. Miller, advancing slowly 
in columns of divisions, ready to form to resist cavalry, 
which threatened our flanks and front. Soon the enemy 
opened, sending their round shot and shell singing in 
among us, to which Cooper briskly replied, while the 
infantry advanced, and a severe contest commenced, in 
which we drove the enemy from the first strip of woods 
over the fields to the second, the battle lasting until eight 
o'clock, and the Keserves resting upon their arms on the 
ground won from the enemy, unassisted by the other 
divisions of the corps. During the battle, our most 
estimable and gallant adjutant, Augustus T. Cross, who, 
at the request of General Seymour, was acting on his 
staff, was killed, as was also Colonel McNeil, of the 
" Bucktails." 

During the night, we laid in support of Cooper's bat- 
tery, which continued firing until after nine o'clock. 
Through the night, shots were continually exchanged 
between ours and the enemy's pickets, who laid within a 
short distance of each other in the second woods, and 
about two o'clock in the morning, the "Bucktails," whb 
were determined the Eeserves should have the honor of 
opening the second day's fight, as they had the first, 
opened a brisk fire, but they getting short of ammunition, 
we were sent to relieve them, arriving there just at the 
grey of the morning. Deploying, we crept on our bellies 
to our position, and opened a heavy fire upon the enemy, 



206 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

both parties keeping the ground and maintaining their 
positions. Sometime afterwards the whole of our corps 
came up, and the battle opened in earnest, the enemy 
being driven into the woods and pressed hard upon the 
right of our line. The contest now became obstinate, 
and as the troops advanced the opposition became- more 
determined and the number of the enemy greater. 
General Hooker then ordered up General Mansfield's 
corps, which had crossed the Antietam during the night, 
and bivouacked about a mile in our rear. General Wil- 
liams' division was deployed to the right, with its right 
brigade under General Crawford, right resting on the 
Hagerstown pike. The second division, under General 
Green, joining Williams' left. During the deployment, 
the gallant veteran Mansfield fell mortally wounded, 
while examining the ground in front of his troops. 

The One-hundred-and-twenty-fourth Pennsylvania 
Volunteers were pushed across the turnpike into the 
woods, beyond J. Miller's house, with orders to hold the 
position as long as possible. 

The command of this corps now devolved upon Gene- 
ral Williams, and its line of battle was formed, and it 
became engaged about seven A. M., the attack being 
opened by Knap's and Hampton's Pennsylvania, and 
Cothran's New York batteries. To meet this attack, the 
enemy had pushed a strong column of troops into the 
open fields in front of the turnpike, while he occupied 
the woods on the west of the pike in strong force. The 
woods were traversed by out- cropping ledges of rock. 
Several hundred yards to the right and rear was a hill, 
which commanded the debouche of the woods, and in 
the fields between was a long line of stone fences, con- 
tinued by breastworks or rails, which covered the enemy's 
infantry from our musketry. The same woods formed a 
screen, behind which his movements were concealed, and 
his batteries on the hill, and the rifle-works covered from 
the fire of our artillery in front. 

For about two hours the battle raged with varied sue- 



THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 207 

cess, the enemy endeavoring to drive our troops into 
the second line of woods, and ours in turn to get posses- 
sion of the line in front. 

Our troops ultimately succeeded in- forcing the enemy 
back into the woods, near the pike, General Green, with 
his two brigades, crossing into the woods to the left of 
the Dunker Church. During this conflict, General Craw- 
ford was seriously wounded and taken from the field. 

General Green being much exposed, the Thirteenth 
New Jersey, Twenty-seventh Indiana, and the Third 
Maryland were sent to his support, with a section of 
Knap's battery. 

Al30ut nine o'clock, A. M., General Sedgwick's divi- 
sion of General Sumner's corps arrived. On nearing the 
scene of action, the column was formed in three parallel 
lines by brigade, and moved upon the field of battle, 
under fire from the enemy's concealed batteries. Pass- 
ing diagonally to the front across the open space and to 
the front of the first division of General Williams' Corps, 
this latter division withdrew. 

Entering the woods on the west of the pike, and driving 
the enemy before them, the first line was met by a heavy 
fire of musketry and shell from the enemy's breastworks 
and batteries ; meantime a heavy column of the enemy 
had succeeded in crowding back the troops of General 
Green's division, and appeared in rear of the left of Sedg- 
wick's division. General Howard laced the third line 
to the rear, preparatory to a change of front, to meet the 
column advancing on the left ; but this line suffered so 
severely from a destructive fire, both in front and on its 
left, which it was unable to return, gave way towards 
the right and rear in considerable confusion, and was 
soon followed by the first and second lines. 

General Gorman's brigade, which constituted the first 
line, and one of General Dana's, soon rallied and checked 
the advance of the enemy on the right. The second 
and third lines now formed on the left of Gorman's 
brigade, and poured a destructive fire upon the enemy. 



508 OUR CAMPAIGNS.. 

During Sedgwick's attack, General Sumner ordered 
General Williams to support him. General Gordon, with 
a portion of his brigade, moved forward, but when he 
reached the woods, the left of General Sedgwick's divi- 
sion had given way ; and finding himself opposed to a 
superior force, he withdrew to the rear of the batteries, 
at the second line of woods. As Gordon's troops un- 
masked our batteries on the left, they opened with 
canister, and the enemy unable to withstand their deadly 
fire in front, and the musketry fire from the right, they 
were driven back with great slaughter, behind the woods 
and rocks beyond the turnpike. 

During this assault. Generals Sedgwick and Dana were 
seriously wounded and taken from the field. General 
Howard assumed command of Sedgwick's division. 

About the time of General Sedgwick's advance, Gene- 
ral Hooker, while gallantly urging on his men, was 
severely wounded in the foot, and General Meade was 
2)laced in command of our corps. 

Upon the repulse of Sedgwick, on our right, the battle 
in our front became more desperate, the woods resound- 
ing with one continuous roar of musketry, and the line 
of flame and smoke swaying to and fro. Already had 
Captain Mealey been taken from the field, severely 
Y\rounded, and the gallant Lieutenant Wimpfheimer 
fallen. The regiment on our right had given way, the 
enemy were pressing us hard, forcing back our right 
flank and curving us into a semi-circle, but steadily our 
boys stood their ground, pouring into the enemy a con- 
stant fire, before which their advance withered away. 
General Seymour was there cheering us on, and General 
llartsuff", of our corps, was wounded in our ranks, but 
notwithstanding the gallant efforts of the officers and 
heroically brave conduct of the men, we were over- 
powered by superior numbers and forced back. But no 
rout — no precipitate retreat — but steadily and in good 
order, the brave men delivered their fire upon the ad- 
vancing foe ; and though we were retiring, our flag 



THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 209 

flaunted proudly over our heads. At this time, unex- 
pectedly, a column of the enemy suddenly opened upon 
us, from the right, a deafening crash of musketry, before 
which our little band was swept away, and breaking, we 
were driven over the field in confusion, but reaching a 
favorable position. Captain Byrnes, who had acted 
throughout with conspicuous bravery, rallied the men 
once more around the standard and reformed the regi- 
ment. Though weakened and exhausted with over six 
hours hard fighting, the wearied limbs and brave hearts 
of the men sought not repose. The Reserves had not 
yet been defeated, nor did they intend to be, for as long 
as there are brave men to stand by the colors, there is 
hope of victory. 

The batteries of the Reserves were pushed forward in 
front of the first line of woods to our right, and opened 
a murderous fire of case-shot and canister that swept the 
advancing foe back, and again the Reserves charged with 
loud cheers over the ploughed field into the cornfield 
and the woods beyond, where the hardest and deadliest 
struggles of the day took place. Some times pressed 
hard, we were forced back, and at others the foe yielded 
to our charge. But as the battle wore on, out of the 
woods came sudden heavy and terrible volleys from 
fresh troops, that with their weight of fire bent and bore 
down to the ground the front, forcing back our shattered 
lines, that slowly and sullenly retired to the woods where 
our lines were formed to meet the foe, whom we again 
hurled back. 

While the conflict was so obstinately raging in our 
front and on the right. General French was engaged with 
the enemy further to the left. His division was formed 
in three columns. General Max Weber's brigade in front, 
Colonel Dwight Morris' of raw troops next, and General 
Kimball's brigade last. The division advanced under a 
heavy artillery fire, and driving in the enemy's skirmish- 
ers, encountered their infantry at the group of houses on 
Roulette's farm, and drove them from their position. 

14 



210 ^ OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

"While General Weber was hotly engaged with his brig- 
ade, General French ordered the brigade of Kimball to 
the front, and passing to the left of Weber, they drove 
the enemy back to near the crest of a hill, where he was 
encountered in greater strength in a sunken road, form- 
ing a natural rifle-pit. In a cornfield in rear of this road 
were also strong bodies of the enemy. As Kimball's 
line reached the crest of the hill, a galling fire was 
opened on it from the sunken road and cornfield. Here 
a terrible fire of musketry burst from both lines, and the 
battle raged with great slaughter. 

The enemy attempted to turn the left of the line, but 
were gallantly repulsed by the One hundred and thirty,- 
second Pennsylvania and Seventh Virginia Volunteers. 
Foiled in this, they assaulted the front, but were charged 
and driven back with severe loss and three hundred 
prisoners, and several stands of colors ' captured. They 
having been repulsed with severe loss on the extreme 
right, they now attempted to assist the attack on French's 
division by assailing him on his right to turn his flank, 
but they were met and checked by the Fourteenth In- 
diana and Eighth Ohio Volunteers, and by canister from 
Captain Tompkin's battery First Ehode Island artillery. 
Having been under an almost continuous fire for nearly 
four hours, and the ammunition nearly expended, the 
division now took position immediately below the crest 
of the heights on which they had so gallantly fought, the 
enemy making no attempt to regain their lost ground. 

On the left of General French, General Eichardson's 
division was hotly engaged. They advanced in line with 
General Meagher's brigade on the right, General Cald- 
well's on ;the left, and Colonel Brooks' in support. They 
moved steadily, and soon became engaged with the 
enemy posted to the left and in front of Eoulette's house. 
Pressing on under a heavy fire to the crest of the hill, 
they found the enemy posted in a continuation of the 
sunken road and cornfield before referred to. Here the 
brave Irish brigade opened upon the enemy a terrible 



THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 211 

musketry fire. After suffering terribly in officers and 
men, and strewing the ground with the enemy as they 
drove them back, their ammunition nearly expended, 
and their commander, General Meagher, disabled by the 
fall of his horse shot under him, the brigade was ordered 
to give place to General Caldwell's, which advanced to a 
short distance in its rear. The lines were passed by 
Meagher's brigade breaking by company to the rear, 
and General Caldwell's by company to the front as 
steadily as on drill. 

The ground over which Generals Eichardson's and 
French's division were fighting, was very irregular, in- 
tt^rsected by numerous ravines, hills covered with grow- 
ing corn, inclosed by stone walls, behind which the 
enemy could advance unobserved upon any exposed 
point of our lines. Taking advantage of this, the enemy 
attempted to gain the right of Eichardson's position in 
a cornfield near Eoulette's house, where the division had 
become separated from that of General French's. A 
change of front by the Fifty Second New York and Sec- 
ond Delaware Volunteers of Eichardson's division, and 
the attack made by the Fifty-third Pennsylvania volun- 
teers sent further to the right to close this gap in the 
line, and the movement of the One hundred and thirty- 
second Pennsylvania and Seventh Virginia Volunteers of 
French's division, before referred to, drove the enemy 
from the cornfield and restored the line. 

The brigade of Caldwell, with determined gallantry, 
pushed the enemy back opposite the left and centre of 
Eichardson's division, but sheltered in the sunken road, 
they still held our forces on the right of Caldwell in 
check. Colonel Barlow, commanding the Sixty-first and 
Sixty-fourth New York regiments, seeing a favorable 
opportunity, advanced the regiments on the left, taking 
the enemy in the sunken road in flank, and compelling 
them to surrender, capturing over three hundred prison- 
ers and three stands of colors. The^ whole brigade, with 
the Fifty-seventh and Sixty-sixth New York regiments, 



212 OUE CAMPAIGNS. 

of Colonel Brooks' brigade, who had joined Caldwell's, 
now advanced with gallantry, driving the enemy before 
them in confusion into the corn-field beyond the sunken 
road. The left of Eichardson's division was now well 
advanced, when the enemy, concealed by an intervening 
ridge, endeavored to turn its left and rear. 

Colonel Cross, Fifth New Hampshire, by a change of 
front to tlie left and rear, brought his regiment facing 
the advancing line. Here a spirited charge arose to gain 
a commanding height, the opposing forces moving paral- 
lel to each other, giving and receiving fire. The Fifth 
gained the advantage, faced to the right and delivered 
its volley. The enemy staggered, but rallied and ad- 
vanced desperately at a charge. Being reinforced by 
the Eighty-first Pennsylvania, these regiments met the 
advance by a counter-charge. The enemy fled, leaving 
many killed, wounded, and prisoners, and the colors of 
the Fourth North Carolina, in our hands. 

Another column of the enemy, advancing under shelter 
of a stone wall and corn-field, pressed down on the right 
of the division ; but Colonel Barlow again advanced the 
Sixty-first and Sixty-fourth New York against them, 
and with the attack of Kimball's brigade, of French's 
division, on the right, drove them from this position. 

Our troops on the left of this part of the line having 
driven the enemy far back, they, with reinforced num- 
bers, made a determined attack in front. To meet this. 
Colonel Barlow brought his two regiments to their posi- 
tion in line, and drove the enemy through the corn-field 
into the orchard beyond, under a heavy fire of musketry, 
and a fire of canister from two pieces of artillery in the 
orchard, and a battery further to the right, throwing 
shell and case-shot. This advance gave us possession of 
Piper's house, the strong point contended for by the 
enemy at this part of the line, it being a defensible build- 
ing several hundred yards in advance of the sunken 
road. The infantry fighting at this point of the line now 
ceased. Holding Piper's house. General Eichardsou 



THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 213 

withdrew the line a little way to the crest of a hill, a 
more advantageous position. Up to this time the divi- 
sion was without artillery, and in the new position 
suffered severely from artillery fire, which it could not 
reply to. A section of Captain Eobertson's horse battery 
now arived and opened, and soon after Captain Grraham's 
battery took position on the crest of the hill, and silenced 
the guns in the orchard. Graham's battery, however, 
being smooth-bores, was unable to reach a rifled battery 
of the enemy, of greater range, further to the right, and 
was forced to retire. General Kichardson was here mort- 
ally wounded. 

General Hancock was placed in command of the divi- 
sion after the fall of General Eichardson. Meagher's 
brigade, now commanded by Colonel Burk, having 
refilled their cartridge-boxes, again advanced and took 
position in the centre of the line. The division now 
formed one line of battle in close proximity to the 
enemy, and Colonel Morris, with the Fourteenth Con- 
necticut and a detachment of the One-hundred-and-eighth 
New York, was sent by General French to reinforce 
them, and were placed in an interval in the line between 
Caldwell's and Burk's brigades. Hancock's division, 
though suffering severely from the enemy's artillery, was 
able to hold its position, but not to attack the enemy's 
artillery, as it was too weak to form a second line of 
battle, and was, by its advanced position, enfiladed by 
the enemy's batteries on the right. 

With the exception of some minor fighting and the 
repulse of a heavy line of infantry by General Pleasanton 
with sixteen guns, the operations on this portion of the 
field closed. 

About noon General Franklin's Corps arrived having 
left Crampton's Pass at six A. M. It was at first deter- 
mined to hold them in reserve, but the right under 
Sumner and Meade being hardly pressed it was at once 
sent to their relief. On nearing the field, finding that 
battery A, Fourth United States Artillery, was hotly 



214 OUR CAMPA.TGNS. 

engaged witLout support, two regiments were sent to 
its relief. Afterwards the remaining regiments of Han- 
cock's brigade with Captains Frank's and Co wen's bat- 
teries were also sent there. Finding the enemy still 
advancing, the Third brigade of Smith's division com- 
manded by Colonel Irwin, Forty ninth Pennsylvania 
Volunteers was ordered up, and drove back the advance 
until abreast of the Dunker Church. As the right of 
the brigade came opposite the woods it received a de- 
structive fire, which checked the advance and threw the 
brigade somewhat into confusion. It formed again behind 
a rise of ground in the open space in advance of the 
batteries. 

General French having reported to General Franklin 
that his ammunition was nearly expended, General 
Brooks, with his brigade was ordered to reinforce him. 
The brigade was formed on the right of General French, 
where they remained during the remainder of the day 
and night, frequently under the fire of the enemy's 
artillery. 

The advance of General Franklin's Corps was oppor- 
tune. The attack of the enemy on this position, but for 
the timely arrival of his Corps, must have been disas- 
trous, had it succeeded in piercing the line between 
General Sedgwick's and French's divisions. 

General Porter's Corps was stationed on the east side 
of the Antietam upon the main turnpike leading to 
Sharpsburg, and opposite the centre of the enemy's lines 
to act in case the enemy should attempt to pierce the 
centre and turn oui- rear, as well as capture or destroy 
our supply trains. 

Towards the middle of the afternoon, General McClel- 
lan found that Sumner's, Meade's and Mansfield's Corps 
had met with serious losses, that several general officers 
had been carried from the field severely wounded, and 
the aspect of affairs was anything but promising. Orders 
were given to reinforce this portion of the line with two 
brigades from Porter's Corps, and to renew the attack. 



THE BATTLE OF AXTIETAM. 215 

bat General Sumner expressed tlie most decided opinion 
against another attempt that day to assault the enemy's 
position in front. In view of these circumstances, the 
different commanders were directed to hold their 
positions, and the orders to Porter's brigades were coun- 
termanded. 

General Slocum's division replaced a portion of Sum- 
ner's troops, and batteries were placed in positions in 
front of the woods. The enemy opened with several 
heavy fires of artillery on our troops after this, but our 
batteries soon silenced them. 

In the morning, General Pleasanton, with his cavalry 
division and the horse batteries, under Captains Eobert- 
son, Tidball, Gibson, and Lieutenant Haines, was ordered 
to cross the bridge on the Keedysville and Sharpsburg 
turnpike and advance towards the latter place, and sup- 
j^ort the left of General Sumner's line. The bridge being 
covered by a fire of artillery and sharpshooters, cavalry 
skirmishers were thrown out, and Captain Tidball's 
battery advanced by piece and drove off the enemy with 
canister sufficiently to establish the other batteries, which 
opened on the enemy with effect. The firing was kept 
up for about two hours, when, the enemy's fire slacken- 
ing, the batteries were relieved by Eandall's and Van 
Eeed's. About three o'clock, Tidball, Eobertson and 
Haines returned to their positions on the west of Antie- 
tam, and did good service, concentrating their fire on 
the column of the enemy about to attack General Han- 
cock's position, and compelling it to find shelter behind 
the hills in the rear. The batteries under Pleasanton 
were supported by five battalions of United States 
infantry who acted with great gallantry. 

Generi^l Burnside's Corps held the left on the line 
opposite the bridge on the Eohrersville and Sharpsburg 
road, and as it was intended the attack on the right 
should be supported by an attack on the left, General 
McClellan ordered him at eight o'clock to carry the 
bridge, gain possession of the heights beyond, and to 



216 OUK CAMPAIGNS. 

advance along their crest -upon Sharpsburg and its rear. 
After much delay, the bridge was carried about one 
o'clock, by a brilliant charge of the Fifty-first Pennsyl- 
vania and Fifty -first New York Volunteers. Other troops 
were then thrown over and the opposite bank occupied, 
but for some reason a halt was ordered, and it was three 
o'clock before the advance resumed, when they gallantly 
charged driving the enemy from their guns, handsomely 
carrying the heights and a portion of them even reaching 
the outskirts of Sharpsburg. By this time it was nearly 
dark, and strong reinforcements just then reaching the 
enemy from Harper's Ferry, attacked General Burnside's 
troops on their left flank, and forced them to retire to a 
lower line of hills near the bridge. 

General McClellan, in his report, blames Burnside for 
unnecessary delay, and says: "If this important move- 
ment had been consummated two hours earlier, a posi- 
tion would have been secured upon the heights, from 
which our batteries might have enfiladed the greater 
part of the enemy's line, and turned their right and rear; 
our victory might thus have been much more decisive." 

During the afternoon the Keserves were withdrawn 
from the woods and put in position behind the first line 
in an open field, giving place to fresh troops. This was 
necessary, as their ammunition was entirely expended 
and they had been upon the field for nearly twenty-four 
hours, and suffered severely. 

Thus terminated the long and desperately fought bat- 
tle of Antietam, in which for fourteen hours nearly two 
hundred thousand men and five hundred pieces of artil- 
lery were engaged. The position occupied by the enemy 
was selected by their commander, General Lee, a most 
experienced engineer. They were driven from it on one 
flank, and a lodgement was effected within it on the 
other. Our soldiers slept that niglit conquerors on the 
field won b}^ their valor."^ 



See Appendix A. 



THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 217 

The loss of the division was six hundred and one, 
officers and men, and of the army twelve thousand four 
hundred and sixty-nine. Almost one-third more of the 
enemy's dead were counted and buried upon the field by 
our own men than we lost. This is conclusive evidence 
that the enemy sustained much greater loss than we. 

Thirteen gims, thirty-nine colors, upwards of fifteen 
thousand stand of small arms, and more than six thou- 
sand prisoners were the trophies we captured. 

General Meade received a contusion from a spent 
grape-shot, and had two horses killed under him. 

Captain Byrnes and Lieutenant Ross acted with con- 
spicuous bravery, and the conduct of the non-commis- 
sioned officers and men is deserving of all praise. All 
the companies with the exception of one were left with- 
out officers. Never on any field did the men display 
more courage, discipline and self-reliance. Not one 
shirked, lao^ofed or faltered, but all seemed determined, 
as they expressed it, to see what they could do on their 
own hook. Never for one moment during both day's 
fisrht, did their lines falter or break, or show anv more 
irregularity than is incidental to all fields, excepting 
upon the occasion alluded to, when they were borne 
down by the weight of fire. 

When we broke and were driven across the field, a 
chicken was scared up, which displayed equal alacrity 
with the men in its flight to the rear, and a most ani- 
mated race for life or death took place between them, 
but the Sergeant-major seizing a favorable opportunity 
threw himself upon the ground and captured the prize, 
which furnished a most sumptuous repast. 

On the 18th the attack on the enemy was not renewed, 
as the troops were much exhausted by the severe and 
protracted battle, together with the long day and night 
jnarches which they had been subjected to during the 
previous three days. They were in need of rations, which 
could not be supplied to them until late in the day, and 
many of them had suffered from hunger. A large num- 



218 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

ber of the "heaviest and most efficient batteries bad 
expended all their ammanition, and it was impossible to 
supply them until near night. The infantry were also 
short of ammunition. Besides this, reinforcements to 
the number of fourteen thousand men, and the whole 
Pennsylvania militia under General Reynolds were ex- 
pected during the day ; therefore, the day was spent in 
collecting the dispersed, giving rest to the fatigued, 
removing the wounded, burying the dead, and prepar^^ 
ing for a renewal of the battle. 

By night almost all the wounded were collected in 
and around the different farm houses and buildings, 
where equal attention and kindness was shown to our 
own and the enemy's. Rude tables were put up, on 
which the operations were performed, and from which 
dripped the iDlood, while near by them were the ampu- 
tated arms and legs. The wounded laid near, these gazing 
at the sight, and patiently awaiting their turn to be 
lifted upon the tables, around which the surgeons stood 
with their sleeves rolled up, performing their operations 
with perfect coolness and seeming indifference. If a 
surgeon was to permit the feelings of sympathy to enter 
his heart, it might unnerve him and prove fatal to the 
poor sufferer. Where there are thousands of cases which 
require immediate attention, and which it will take the 
limited number of surgeons several days to attend to, 
the individual is overlooked for the good of the mass. 
When the probabilities are strongly against saving a 
man, he is not operated upon, but made as easy as circum- 
stances will admit, and the same principle is applied to 
the saving or losing of a limb. Tliis is an imperative 
necessity that the exigency of the occasion requires. 
After the operations were got through with, the patients 
were laid on straw or hay in the buildings or on the 
grass in rows, and over them were stretched blankets 
to protect them from the rays of tlie sun. Water, food, 
and stimulants were distributed to them by the nurses, 
and the stretcher-men removed and buried those that 
died. 



ADVANCE TO THE POTOMAC. 219 

Large numbers of farmers of Maryland and Pennsyl- 
vania visited the hospitals, bringing with them bread, 
cakes, pies, cooked poultr}^, milk, etc., which they dis- 
tributed to the wounded, and every one of them appeared 
proud to get a soldier to take home with him to nurse. 

Adjutant Cross and Lieatenant Wimpfheimer were 
buried in the village church yard, at Keedysville. The 
Adjutant was subsequently removed to Philadelphia, and 
over Wimpfheimer was placed a handsome stone. 

In the latter part of the day, as the enemy were pass- 
ing troops from the Virginia shore', our division was 
ordered into line, it being presumed they meditated some 
offensive movement, but during the night, they appeared 
to have altered their intentions, and abandoning their 
position retreated across the river, accomplishing the 
movement before daylight. 

When our cavalry advance reached the river early on 
the morning of the 19th, it was discovered that nearly all 
the enemy's forces had crossed into Virginia during the 
night, their rear escaping under cover of eight batteries, 
placed in strong positions upon the elevated bluff's on 
the opposite bank. The whole army was moved forward 
to occupy a new position nearer the river, our division 
marching early in the morning to the front and right, 
about three miles, crossing the Hagerstown and Sharps- 
burg turnpike, and halting near the Potomac, above 
Sharpsburgh. ' 

Our route took us over and alx^ng the enemy's line of 
battle, and we found the fields and woods literally covered 
with their dead. At one point, where they had crossed 
the fields and pike obliquely, and where they must have 
received a terrific fire of musketry, the formation of 
their lines was distinctly marked by their dead, who 
were stretched in long rows, showing at the time they 
received the fire, they were well dressed. The effect of 
this fire must have been crushing, none of their dead 
laying in front of their line, though to the rear, the 
ground was covered with them. 



220 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

General Griffin, with a detachment from his own and 
Barnes's brigade, of the Fifth Corps, was ordered to cross 
the river at dark, and carry the enemy's batteries, which 
was gallantly done under a heavy fire ; several guns, 
caisons, etc., being taken, and their support driven back 
half a mile. 

*• From information obtained during the progress of this 
affair, it was conjectured that the mass of the enemy had 
retreated on the Charlestown and Martinsburg road, 
towards Winchester. To verify this, and to ascertain 
how far the enemy had retired. General Porter was au- 
thorized to send out on the morning of the 20th, a recon- 
noitring party in great force. This detachment crossed 
the river, and advanced about a mile, when it was am- 
bushed by a large body of the enemy lying in the w^oods, 
and driven back across the river with considerable loss, 
which showed that the enemy was still in force on the 
Virginia side of the Potomac, prepared to resist our 
further advance. It was in this affair that the One Hun- 
dred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania volunteers, ("Corn 
Exchange Regiment,") was so badly cut up. 

It having been reported that the enemy, under Gene- 
ral Stuart, numbering four thousand cavalry, six guns, 
and ten thousand infantry, had crossed the Potomac to 
the Maryland side, at Williamsport, General McClellan 
sent Couch, with his di^sion and a part of Pleasanton's 
cavalry, and with Franklin's Corps within supporting 
distance, to endeavor to capture them. General Couch 
made a prompt and rapid march to Williamsport, and 
attacked the enemy vigorously, but they made their 
escape across the river. 

On the 20th General Williams' corps occupied Mary- 
land Heights, and on the 22d General Samner took pos- 
session of Harper's Ferry. 

The main body of the enemy was at this time concen- 
trated near Martinsburg and Bunker Hill, and occupied 
itself in drafting and coercing every able-bodied citizen 
into the ranks, forcibly taking their property, where it 



VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT. 221 

was not volantarily offered, burning bridges and destroy- 
ing railroads. 

General McClellan not feeling it prudent to cross the 
river in pursuit of the enemy, stationed his army along 
the north bank in position to cover and guard the fords, 
and commenced the work of reorganizing, re-equipping 
and drilling. 

On the 1st of October His Excellency the President 
visited the army and remained several days, during 
which he went through the different encampments, re- 
viewed the troops, visited the hospitals, and went over 
the battle-fields of South Mountain and Antietam. 

On the 10th, General Stuart crossed the upper Poto- 
mac at McCoy's Ferry, with two thousand cavalry and a 
battery of horse-artillery, on a raid into Maryland and 
Pennsylvania, and although immediate disposition of 
troops were made to intercept him, from the orders not 
being carried out, he was enabled to escape, recrossing 
the river at White's Ford below the Monocacy. 



CHAPTEE XX. 



Crossing the Potomac. March through Virginia. Warren- 
ton. General McClellan superceded. Removal of Gene- 
ral FiTZ John Porter. Our Virginia Friends. Bombard- 
ment OP Fredericksburg. Laying Pontoons. 

On the 6th General McClellan received orders to 
"cross the Potomac, and give battle to the enemy, or 
drive him south." The order stated, that if he crossed 
between the enemy and Washington, he could be rein- 
forced to the extent of thirty thousand men ; but if he 
moved up the valley of the Shenandoah, not more than 
twelve or. fifteen thousand could be sent to him. It was 
not, however, until the 26th, that the advance guard of 



222 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

the army crossed the Potomac. On that day, two divi- 
sions of the Ninth corps, and Pleasanton's brigade of 
cavalry, crossed at Berlin. The First, Sixth and Ninth 
corps, the cavalry, and the reserve artillery, also crossed 
there between the 26th of October an'd the 2d of Novem- 
ber. The Second and Fifth corps crossed at Harper's 
Ferry, between the 29th of October and the 1st of 
November. 

The plan of campaign adopted by General McClellan 
was to move the army, well in hand, parallel to the Blue 
Kidge, taking Warrenton as the point of direction for 
the main army ; seizing each pass on the Blue Ridge by 
detachments, as we approached it, and guarding them 
after we had passed, as long as they would enable the 
enemy to trouble our connections with the Potomac. 

Upon the death of Adjutant Cross, Lieutenant John J. 
Ross, who was the only ofhcer with the regiment, except- 
ing Captain Byrnes, was appointed Acting Adjutant, 
until the return of Sergeant-Major E. M. Woodward, who 
had been promoted Adjutant. About the same time, Colo- 
nel McCandless, with a number of officers and men, who 
had recovered from their wounds, also returned. 

Our regiment broke camp on the 26th, and marched, 
during a heavy rain-storm, to Berlin, which we reached 
on the 27th, the rain continuing all night. On the 29th, 
we crossed the river on the pontoons, and encamped near 
Lovettsville, Virginia, where we Avere inspected by 
General Seymour, and mustered for pay on the 31st. 

On the first of November, we marched through Water- 
ford, and encamped about a mile from Hamilton, where 
we laid the next day. While here. Lieutenant H. P. 
Kennedy, Sergeant James McCormick and Corporal A. 
McK. Storrie were detailed to proceed to Harrisburg to 
bring on drafted men, which they did not get. 

The next day, at noon, the division marched, and 
before dark we passed through Philomont and bivouacked 
about a mile beyond, near Snicker's Gap, on a field 
■yvhere there had been an artillery skirmish in the morn- 



A WEARISOME MARCH. 223 

ing, the ground being strewed with dead horses, shells, 
etc. The next morning early, we moved about a mile to 
Uniontown, and halted there until three P. M., when we 
marched on, passing Franklin's corps and Couch's divi- 
sion at their bivouacs, and laid for the night on a high 
table land. That night, a number of the officers and 
men of the One-hundred and-nineteenth, Colonel Ell- 
maker's, and the Twenty-third, Birney's old regiment, 
visited us, all being from Philadelphia. 

The next morning, (the 5th,) we moved at seven 
o'clock, in a southeasterly direction, fording the Panther- 
skin, a deep, broad creek, and, passing through Middle- 
burg, halted on its confines for dinner. In the town, we 
found quite a large number of wounded "Greybacks" 
from Bull Eun, with whom the boys conversed freely. 
At four in the afternoon, we took up our march again, 
moving slowly and tediously, halting continually, some- 
times every few hundred yards, as there was a long 
wagon-train ahead of us, and the roads were exceedingly 
bad. At last, long after dark, we passed through White 
Plains, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, and moving two 
miles beyond, Avere halted, and then countermarched 
nearly a mile and put into a heavy woods to bivouac. 
Hardly had the boys built their fires, before orders came 
for our regiment to go on picket. It was then about 
midnight, and all were weary, for w^e had been fourteen 
hours marching sixteen miles, but as orders are given to 
be obeyed, we consoled ourselves with the thought, that 
'' there is no rest for the wicked," and moved off about a 
mile to the front, and spent the balance of the night 
watching for the foe, who did not appear. 

The next morning we marched into camp, and imme- 
diately took our position in the line, and moved ofl* 
towards Warrenton, the infantry keeping on the fields to 
leave the road clear for the artillery. When we arrived 
within three miles of the town, at the gap between Water 
and Pig-Nut Mountains, through which the road passed, 
our regiment being in advance, we were deployed as 



224 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

skirmishers, General Eeynolds supposing the enemy 
would make some show of resistance there. Companies 
A, B, and H, under the comm.and of Captain McDonough, 
were deployed to the right of the road to feel the woods 
for the enemy ; and companies D, E and Q, under Major 
Neide, to the left for tlie same purpose, the reserve, con- 
sisting of C and K, following close in the rear. The 
whole, under McCaudless, advanced rapidly through the 
d^nse underbrush over the crest of the mountains, which 
being found clear of the enemy, they reunited beyond 
the Gap, our regiment then advancing upon the road, 
with the " Bucktails" on our right and the First on our 
left, until we came to the clear ground, when the flank- 
ing regiments filed into the road, and we entered the 
town of Warrenton at four P. M. Of course, our entrance 
was not received by the inhabitants with the joy that the 
entrance of their friends, the " Greybacks," would have 
been, the female portion of the community remaining, in 
their houses, and those of the men who showed them- 
selves, looking on in silence. Our eyes, however, were 
gladdened by the sight of sundry Confederates who were 
captured, and who, perhaps, remained behind for that 
purpose. Moving on about a mile, we encamped near 
the ground we occupied in August last, a few days pre- 
ceding the second battle of Bull Run. 

Warrenton, like all other towns we occupied, we found 
completely stripped of ever3^thing in the way of food, 
clothing, etc. : the chivalry having completely cleaned it 
out. The stores were all closed lor want of goods, and 
business of all kinds was suspended. We found it im- 
possible to obtain bread, or any other article of food, at 
any price, and although our occupation proved a great 
relief to the inhabitants, and those of the surrounding 
country, in obtaining supplies, we were not welcomed. 

With the exception of a violent snow-storm, nothing 
of note occurred while Ave laid at this camp, until the 
morning of the 10th, when we were called out to bid 
farewell to General McClcllan, the then love and idol of 



PLANS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 225 

the Army of the Potomac, who had been relieved of his 
command, and superceded by General Burnside. His 
departure from the army was a scene never to be for 
gotten ; the deafening shouts of the columns he had so 
often led to honor ; the caps tossed high in the air ; the 
tears, those true tests of affection, stealing their courses 
down the weather-beaten cheeks of the veterans of the 
Peninsula, truly told the deep hold he had upon the 
hearts of the men. The officers of some of the regiments 
sent in their resignations in a body, but their generals 
returned them, with a gentle admonition. 

General Fitz John Porter soon after was relieved of 
his command and was subsequently dishonourably dis- 
missed the service, by sentence of a court-martial, for 
his conduct at Bull Run, and torever prohibited from 
occupying any position of honor or trust under the 
Government, but we are not aware of there being any 
particular amount of " weeping and wailing and gnash- 
ing of teeth" at the event. 

It is not clearly known to the author what plan of 
campaign General McGlellan would have pursued if ho 
had continued in command of the army, though it is 
certain he at one time contemplated an advance on Bich- 
mond, via Culpeper and Gordonsville. It is also known 
that he gave preparatory orders for the rebuilding of 
the wharves and the Aquia Creek Eailroad, which 
clearly indicated an advance via Fredericksburg. 

The plan of operations proposed by General Burnside 
was to throw a considerable body of troops across the 
river at Rappahannock Station, and make a feint as if 
to advance by way of Culpeper, and then by a rapid 
movement down the north bank of the Rappahannock 
to cross the river, seize and fortify the heights in the 
rear of Fredericksburg, and advance on Richmond, hold- 
ing the railroad as his line of communication. This plan 
was approved by the authorities at Washington and car* 
ried out to a certain extent by General Burnside. 

At eleven o'clock on the morning of the 11th, our 

15 



226 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

division moved in a southwesterly course to near Fay- 
etteville, about two miles from the Eappahannock, where 
we arrived a little before dark and bivouacked among 
some scrub oaks. 

The next day our regiment went on picket for twenty- 
four hours, and had a very pleasant time. 

On the 16th, General Seymour, at his own request, 
was relieved of the command of our brigade, his health 
not permitting him to undertake a winter campaign. 
The general was a gallant and accomplished officer, a 
high strung and honorable gentleman, and as he had 
served with us in every battle up to Antietam, we parted 
from him with regret. 

Colonel William Sinclair, Sixth Reserves, superceded 
him in command of our brigade. 

At eight o'clock on the morning of the 17th, during a 
drizzling rain, we took up our march, pursuing a gene- 
ral course down the river, passing by Bealton Station, 
Morrisville, the Gold mines, and Grove Churches. About 
dark, and it soon became intensely dark, we were taken 
into a dense woods to bivouac, but such was the thick 
growth of underbrush it was found impossible for the 
men to advance, and we were " about faced" and marched 
out again, and ordered to seek a position somewhere in the 
neighborhood. The colonel selected a hill near the 
head-quarters of General Meade, where we slept soundly 
through the rain.. It is the duty of the staff officer, who 
selects the bivouac ground to examine it and see if it is 
suitable, which was not done in this instance. 

The next morning we moved at nine o'clock along 
the fields to Hart wood, where we took the road to Staf- 
ford Court House. About noon we were forced to halt, 
to repair the road, after which we moved on, crossing 
Potomac creek, and ascending an almost perpendicular 
hill, filled with deep ruts and large boulders, which re- 
quired the united teams of several guns to haul one 
piece up it. The men toiled on manfully through the 
deep mud, for it had been raining all cldj. Towards 



PICKETING. 227 

dark we bivouacked on the banks of Occakeek creek, 
tliree miles from the court house. 

That day the Fifth Reserves was detached from our 
brigade, and put into the Third, which gave their colonel, 
J. W. Fisher, the command of the brigade. Consider- 
able cannonading was heard through the day, in the 
direction of the upper fords of the Rappahannock. 

We remained in this camp until the 22d, during which 
time it rained constantly, and heavy details were made 
from the regiment for fatigue duty, tO' corduroy roads. . 
To prevent depredations from being committed on pri- 
vate property, orders were issued to have hourly roll 
calls in each regiment. 

On the morning above-mentioned we moved at eight 
through the fields bordering on the Telegraph road, 
passing through Stafford Court House to Brooks Station, 
on the Aquia creek and Frederickburg Railroad, where 
we arrived about noon and encamped on the brow of a 
hill overlooking an extensive meadow. Here we found 
the remains of the enemy's huts in which they spent the 
previous winter. The next day our sutler arrived with 
a load of goods, which were soon disposed of to the 
boys, who were particularly in need of tobacco. 

On the 25th Major Horace Neide resigned on account 
of disability from wounds received at the battle of Glen- 
dale. 

On the 1st of December Major Pomeroy arrived and 
paid our regiment off, four months being due them. 

While we laid Jiere we received a full supply of 
clothing, some of the men being almost barefooted and 
without blankets, and man}?- of them in need of stock- 
ings, under-clothing and great coats. Our rations were 
also made full and liberal, and the men appeared in 
most excellent spirits. 

Our regiment went on picket once a week, and 
although in pleasant weather it is preferable to laying 
in camp, it is far from being so in winter, particularly 
during a rain or snow storm. Upon one occasion we 



228 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

were notified the line was to be changed, and the regi- 
ments were formed soon after daybreak and an aid-de- 
camp to General Meade came to conduct us. A snow 
of six inches had fallen through the night, which made 
our marching through the heavily ladened pines any 
thing but agreeable, but after plodding on for a couple 
of miles we reached the left of the new line and com- 
menced dropping out the companies and regiments in 
their position. The line was about three miles long, 
and when we reached the right of it, where our regi- 
ment was stationed, we found ourselves about a half 
mile from camp. It is unnecessary to observe that the 
aid received many blessings upon his head of a ques- 
tionable character. 

A diagram of tjie line was given to an of&cer to estab- 
lish the new line by, who, after consultation with, the 
proprietor of the property, proceeded to do so, being 
assured that there was but one road through the planta- 
tion. After the pickets were posted, however, he was 
dissatisfied with the line as its right rested on no natural 
obstruction. Fmding no further information could be 
obtained at the house, he proceeded to examine the 
woods, and following what at first was supposed to be 
a ravine, in a half mile Aquia creek was found. The 
cause of the proprietor's deception "was very apparent, 
as a small barn, several stacks of hay, a number of cows, 
calves, and chickens were found in this out-of-the-way 
place, and a large fishing house was located on the creek. 
The line was immediately changed, to the infinite dis- 
gust of our friend, who of course, aside from his own 
interest, would like to have had it detective. It is un- 
necessary to observe that no account of stock was taken 
upon our arrival or departure. 

The field and staff of our regiment and the Eighth, 

made Mr. S 's house headquarters, where, in despite 

of circumstances, they were soon on most sociable terms 
with the family. This is a matter most easily accom- 
plished if rightly managed ; all that is necessary being 



PTCKETI^'Q. 229 

to show a due respect to their feelings and sentiments, 
and to get the right side of the old lady. Before we had 
been in the house long, some of the officers were busily 
engaged in assisting in the household affairs, cutting 
wood, cleaning the clock, white-washing the parlor 
chimney, and chasing the sheep back into the pen. In 
fact we made ourselves at home and general?.y useful, 
and only one incident occurred to mar our pleasure, and 
that was, at precisely eight o'clock, P. M., the old gentle- 
man bid us good-night, and with his family retired. 
This was equally annoying to the young ladies as it 
was to us, and was a serious evil that required remedy- 
ing. Many were the plans of operations devised during 
the ensuing week, but our picket turn came before any 
was matured. To turn the clock back was a stale trick 
that probably the old gentleman had had played upon 
him before, and something new must be devised. But 
"fortune favors the brave." and luckily the old gentle- 
man was slightly indisposed. Of course he applied to 
our most estimable surgeon for relief, and then it was 
that a bright idea entered the doctor's head. After due 
examination a couple of opium pills were administered, 
with a good glass of old Cognac to rinse them down. 
About seven o'clock the old gentleman commenced nod- 
ding, and soon afterwards showed decided symptoms of 
drowsiness, and every few minutes rallying himself he 
would inquire the time, and fearing we reported wrongly 
he got up frequently and examined the clock himself. 
He then tried to walk the floor, but all to no purpose, 
and at last with eyes half closed and unable hardly to 
speak, he retired much to the satisfaction of all. 

Mr. S had three daughters, the oldest possessing 

an excellent education and most fascinating manners, she 
being the lady of the family, and the others were almost 
her reverse, though all possessed honest and warm hearts. 
They told us frankly they were secessionists at heart, and 
that they had two brothers in the Confederate army, but 
situated as they were, they had no objection to entertain- 



230 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

ing Union officers whose duty placed tlicm upon tbeir 
property. They conversed freely about the war, sung 
^' My Maryland,'" " The Bonny Blue Flag," " Dixie " and 
other Confederate songs for us. The mother showed us 
many times the daguerreotype of her darling " Charley," 
a boy of sixteen, who belonged to the Forty-seventh Vir- 
ginia infantry, whom we promised, if we caught, to spank 
and send home to her. 

We remained at Brooks' Station until December the 
8th, when we. struck tents and marched at six o'clock in 
the morning ; the weather being clear and cold, and the 
roads so hardly frozen that the artillery and trains did 
not cut them up much, but the horses being smooth-shod, 
slipped continually, and were much worried in their 
march of eight miles, which the infantry accomplished 
by noon. Our encampment was in a meadow not far 
from White Oak Church. While we laid here all the 
detailed men were ordered into the ranks and sixty 
rounds of cartridges supplied to each man. 

The Bombardment of Fredertcksburg, December 
IIth. — At three o'clock on the morning of the 11th, our 
bugles sounded the reveille, awaking the boys from their 
slumbers on the hard frozen ground, and soon the val- 
leys and hills for miles around were lit up by innumer- 
able fires, around which they gathered to prepare their 
coffee. In half an hour we took up our march, the 
bright stars in the blue -vault of heaven lighting us on 
our way, and. as the columns defiled through the gorges 
and woods, the steady tramp of men alone disturbed the 
death-like stillness of the morning. Soon the booming 
of heavy guns in front announced that the ball had 
opened, and moving on to within a mile of the river 
we halted, loaded, and stacked arms in a piece, of heavy 
pine woods, where we laid for the day and night. 

In the mean time the roar of artillery had become 
incessant along the river bank in our front, and the men 
clustering on the neighboring hills had a fine view of 
the bombardment of Fredericksburg, which had com- 



THE BOMBARDMEXT OF FREDERICKSBURG. 231 

menced in earnest. The engineers liad attempted to lay 
six pontoon bridges, four opposite the city and two about 
four miles below, but they had not got more than two- 
thirds of the distance laid before they were driven off 
by the enemy's sharpshooters posted in the houses of 
the town. To dislodge these, one hundred and forty- 
three guns were put into position, the larger portion of 
which opened upon the town. The sight was a mag- 
nificent but sad one, and just before dark it became 
grand in the extreme. The town was on fire in several 
places, the flames and smoke ascending high into the 
heavens, while shells were seen bursting in almost every 
quarter. During this time the enemy's sharpshooters 
kept up a vigorous fire upon the cannoneers and officers 
who lined the bank, their bullets at that long range 
whizzing wickedly by. Finding it impossible to drive 
the sharpshooters away with artillery, the pontoon boats 
were filled with infantry and run quickly across the 
river under a heavy fire, and landing, the men rushed 
up into the streets and houses and drove the enemy 
away, killing, wounding, and taking many prisoners. 
In fifteen minutes after the detachment landed, our men 
began building the bridges, and in half an hour more 
they were completed. 

When the boats first went over, Joseph Cline, a boy 
of sixteen, belonging to Company C, being where they 
started from, could not resist the temptation and went 
over with them, capturing a Mississippi rifle and accout- 
rements from a "Grayback" he killed. 



232 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



CHAPTER XXL 

Battle op Fredericksburg. Loss of our Army. Incidents. 
Causes of the Defeat. Re-cross the Rappahannock. 

The Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th. — 
Early on the 12th, we marched down to the lower pon- 
toons, and at eleven A. M., crossed, halted and formed 
in line of battle on the bottom land beneath the elevated 
plain. Ilere the men commenced making coffee and 
eating dinner, as no one could tell when they would have 
an opportunity to build fires again. While they were 
thu3 engaged and every one was expecting in a short 
time to go into battle, four young boys were quietly 
seated, playing cards, upon a blanket. For two of them 
it was their last game. Soon after we were moved up 
on the plateau, and the whole army was formed into 
line of battle, with the artillery and cavalry all posted. 
It was one of the most magnificent sights the eyes of 
man ever rested upon. 

Some slight picket skirmishing took place in our front, 
and on the right, the enemy opened with artillery, but 
soon retired. The "Bucktails" were ordered to the ex- 
treme left for picket duty, and our regiment sent to oc- 
cupy the buildings and out-houses at Smithfield, and to 
hold the bridge across Deep run, near where it emptied 
into the river. The main building .was Dr. Thom.as 
Piatt's large brick house, which, being unoccupied, we 
entered through a window, and found it very handsomely 
furnished. Around this building the men were posted, 
and it was occupied by us during the night. Upon our 
^arrival. Colonel McCandless caused the arrest of the 
overseer and two other white men, and sent them to 
General Meade's head-quarters, who caused them to be 
detained until the battle was over. With the exception 
of the exchange of a few shots every thing passed quietly 
through the night. 



THE BATTLE OF FKEDERTCKSBURG. 233 

The field upon which the battle of Fredericksburg was 
fought, consisted of a plateau, extending from the bluffs 
of the river to a range of heavily -wooded heights, com- 
mencing on the Rappahannock, above and in the rear 
of Fredericksburg, and extending to the valley of Mas- 
saponax, a distance of between four and five miles, its 
greatest breadth being two miles. On this plateau was 
drawn up the Union army, Major-general E. Y. Sumner, 
commanding the right grand division. Major-general 
Joseph Hooker commanding the centre grand division, 
and Major-general William B. Franklin commanding 
the left grand division. 

Early on the morning of the 13th, the enemy threw 
out foot and mounted skirmishers, on our left, and Colo- 
nel McCandless ordered Companies B, Captain McDon- 
ough, and H, Captain Mealey, to the support of the 
'' Bucktails," and it soon after becoming evident that the 
enemy meditated an attack upon that point, the balance 
of the regiment was moved up. Soon after the re- 
mainder of the Pennsylvania Reserves, under General 
Meade, moved forward, and Doubleday's division passing 
to our left, we advanced and formed the first line of 
battle with Gibbons' division on our right. Crossing the 
Bowling Green road, we advanced to within about one 
thousand yards of the base of the mountain and laid 
down on the crest of the field, behind the batteries we 
were to support. 

Our division formation was, the First brigade in line 
of battle, with the Sixth regiment deployed as skir- 
mishers ; the Second brigade in rear of the First, three 
hundred paces: the Third brigade by the flank, its 
right flank being a few yards to the rear of the First 
brigade, having the Ninth regiment deployed on its 
flanks as skirmishers and flankers; the batteries be- 
tween the First and Second brigades. ^ 

This disposition had scarcely been made, when the 
enemy opened a brisk fire from a battery posted on the 
Bowling Green road, the shot from which took the divi- 



234 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

sion from the left and rear, As there were indications 
of an attack from that quarter, the Third brigade was 
faced to the left, thus forming, with the First, two sides 
of a square. Simpson's battery was advanced to the 
front and left of the Third brigade, and Cooper's and 
Eansom's batteries moved to the knoll on the left of the 
First brigade. These batteries immediately opened on 
the enemy's battery, and, in conjunction wiih some of 
Doubleday's batteries in our rear, on the other side of 
the Bowling Green road, after some twenty minutes' 
firing, silenced and compelled the withdrawal of the 
guns. 

During this artillery duel, the enemy advanced a 
body of sharpshooters along the Bowling Green road, 
under cover of the hedges and trees at the roadside. 
General Jackson, commanding the Third brigade, 
promptly sent out two companies of marksmen from his 
brigade, who drove the enemy back, and no further de- 
monstrations were made on our left and rear. 

During this time a dense fog, which had hung over 
the field, was dispelled by the rays of the sun, and re- 
vealed to the enemy our magnificent lines drawn up in 
battle array. As our division had been chosen by Ge- 
neral Beynolds, who commanded our corps, to storm the 
heights. Ransom's battery was moved to the right and 
front of the First brigade, and Amsden's battery was 
posted on the right of Cooper's, and the Third brigade 
changed front, and formed in line of battle on the left of 
the First brigade, its left extending so as to be nearly 
opposite to the end of the ridge to be attacked. The 
formation was barely executed before the enemy opened 
a sharp fire from a battery posted on the heights to our 
extreme left. Cooper's, Amsden's and Ransom's bat- 
teries were immediately turned on it, and, after about 
thirty minutes rapid firing, the enemy abandoned the 
guns, having had two of his limbers or caissons blown 
up, the explosions from which were plainly visible. 

It was now twelve o'clock, M., and we had been lay- 



THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 235 

ing under a terrifie fire of round shot and shell for over 
three hours, which, plowed up the earth in deep furrows, 
or went howling and bursting over our heads, filling the 
air with iron hail and sulphur. Though this is the most 
trying position soldiers can be placed in, there is little 
danger from it, not a man of our regiment being hurt, 
though the flagstaff was cut in two. But we were tired 
of lying still and being shot at without returning the 
fire, and when the order came for us to advance, it was 
received with joy by all. Upon the explosion of the 
caissons, the order to advance was given and received 
with loud cheers, the First brigade advancing ovei' the 
field into the woods, driving the enemy before them. 
Having passed through a severe flanking fire from a rifle 
pit, which lined the base of the woods and mountains, 
we crossed the Eichmond and Fredericksburg Railroad 
and drove the enemy from behind the embankments, and 
then making a half wheel to the left, gained the rear of 
the pit, and poured into its occupants a most destructive 
fire, by which they were slaughtered like sheep. Many 
of them attempted to escape by running the gauntlet in 
front of our regiment, they becoming perfectly wild with 
fright, not heeding our calls to halt, but with their arms 
up to shield their heads, some of them staggered to and 
fro up the hill, within a few yards of us, meeting certain 
death. The balance of our brigade being on our right, 
and a heavy fire being received from that direction they 
obliqued over to that side, and our regiment pushed on 
to the front. 

In the mean time, about one company of scattered 
men were pouring into the rifle-pit, at the distance of 
fifty yards, a murderous fire, to which no response was 
given, but unfortunately the Seventh Reserve were in 
the field in front of the pit, and pouring into it a heavy 
fire, which harmed not the foe, but was received by our 
men, who in the excitement of the battle supposed the 
shots came from the pit. It was therefore almost impos- 
sible to stop the fire of our boys, until at last the adju- 



236 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

tant cased his sword, and taking oif his cap advanced 
between tTie two lines, and asked the enemy if "they 
wished to fight or surrender.'- " We will surrender, if 
you will let us," was the reply. This stopped the fire of 
our regiment. The adjutant not wishing to weaken his 
own regiment by sending men with them to the rear, 
and to prevent treachery from the enemy, took several 
of them with him, and advancing in front of the rifle-pit, 
succeeded in stopping the fire of the Seventh, upon 
which he got the rest of the prisoners, numbering over 
three hundred, out, and sent them over to the Seventh.* 
At least one hundred men laid dead or wounded in the 
pit and immediately in its rear. When the men left the 
pit to go into our lines, from their dirty and ragged ap- 
pearance, they resembled the emptying of an almshouse 
more than any thing else, but under these soiled and 
torn jackets, there were many brave hearts, fighting for 
what they believed a holy and just cause. They were 
the Nineteenth Georgia infantry. Our regiment num- 
bered but one hundred and ninety-five muskets. 

In the meantime our brigade pressed vigorously on, 
and continued forcing the enemy back until the crest of 
the heights was crowned, we crossing the main road 
that runs along there, breaking down a fence and enter- 
ing the open ground or plateau, across which we swept, 
passing rows of the enemy's muskets stacked, taking 
them by utter surprise and reaching their reserve and 
getting within sight of their ambulances. So vigorous 
and sudden was the attack, that the enemy in some in- 
stances had not time to get under arms before we were 
upon them. At this point we were assailed by a very 
' severe fire from a large force in front, and a battery 
opened upon us from the right, completely enfilading us, 
and a few moments afterwards we received a heavy fire 



* In the official report of General Meade of the batlle, doubtlessly 
by mistake, the Seventh regiment is wron^^fully credited with the 
capture of the rifle-pits, prisoners, and a standard. 



THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 237 

on our left flank. After holding the ground here for a 
considerable time under these withering fires, and find- 
ing no support was coming to us, we were compelled to 
fall back to the railroad. 

The second brigade, whicb advanced in our rear, after 
reacbing the railroad, received so severe a fire on their 
right flank that the Fourth regiment halted, formed and 
faced to the right, to repel this attack. The other regi- 
ments, in passing through the woods, being assailed from 
the left, inclining in that direction and ascended the 
heights, the Third regiment going up as the One-hun- 
dred and twenty-first, then attached to our brigade, was 
retiring. The Third continued to advance until they 
met the balance of our brigade, when all retired to- 
gether. The Seventh engaged the enemy on the left, 
and continued 'to advance until they encountered the 
enemy's reinforcements, when they were driven back. 

The Third brigade had not advanced over one hun- 
dred yards when the battery on the heights on its left 
was remanned, and poured a destructive fire into its 
ranks. General Jackson attempted to outflank the bat- 
tery on the right, and succeeded so far that some of the 
regiments advanced across the railroad, and ascended 
the heights in their front, but here the gallant Jackson 
was killed, and so severe a fire of both artillery and in- 
fantry was opened upon them, that they were compelled 
to withdraw. 

Upon our reaching the open ground General Meade 
requested Colonel McCandless, who was now in com- 
mand of our brigade, as Colonel Sinclair had been 
severely wounded, to rally the men. Our flag and that 
of another regiment was brought to the front, and we 
partially reformed and maintained our ground for some 
twenty minutes, but such was the severity of the artil- 
lery and infantry fire concentrated upon us, we were 
again forced to retire. Moving on across the field we 
reached our batteries, behind which we found General 
Birney's troops. The enemy did not follow us but a 



238 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

short distance from the woods, when they retired to 
their original position. 

General Gibbons, whose division laid on our right, 
ordered his First brigade forward when he saw us ad- 
vancing. Finding they faltered, he shortly afterwards 
ordered up the Second brigade, but such was the severity 
of the fire he could not get them to charge. He then 
ordered the Third brigade to form in column on the 
right of his line, and they went in on the bayonet and 
advanced as far as the railroad, the enemy's outer line, 
at the base of the heights, but this was not until we 
were being driven back by the concentrated force of the 
enemy on our front and flanks. 

General Meade stated, prior to the assault, that he 
could take the heights, but could not hold them without 
support, which he fully expected. He sent three dif- 
ferent times to General Birney by three staff officers, 
twice requesting him to advance to his support, and the 
third time ordering him to advance, and then he came 
up. To the first request he answered, he was under the 
orders of General Reynolds, and could not move with- 
out his orders. When he received the. order to advance 
he sent four regiments under General Hobart Ward, who 
arrived just as we had retired from the woods, and they, 
with a portion of the Reserves and Gibbons' division, 
prevented the enemy from advancing beyond the edge 
of the woods. 

General Birney, in his testimony before the "Com- 
mittee on the Conduct of the War," states that he only 
received one message from General Meade request- 
ing support ; that the enemy charged within fifty yards 
of his guns ; that General Ward, with his four regiments, 
advanced beyond where the Reserves had ; that his com- 
mand was immediately in the rear of General Meade's 
during the attack, and that he was requested to try 
and stop the rout, and deployed two regiment for that 
purpose, but the fugitives broke through his ]ines. 
These statements would not be noticed if they were not 



THE BATTLE OF FKEDERICKSBURG. 239 

in SO direct variance with those of General Meade and 
other officers, and with what is known to be the facts 
by the majority of the officers and men of our division 
who were present upon the field. 

Birnqy ordered to stop the fugitive "Pennsylvania 
Keserves" from running ! 1 ! No one was ever ordered 
to do that; for when they retired no troops ever went in 
after them ! 

General Franklin, who commanded the left grand 
division, received orders from General Burnside "to 
seize, if possible,, the heights near Captain Hamilton's, 
on this side of the Massaponax, taking care to keep it 
well supported and its line of retreat open." " Holding 
these heights (on the right of our line), with the heights 
near Captain Hamilton's, will, I hope, compel the enemy 
to evacuate the whole ridge between these points." Tbe 
troops under his command to accomplish this, were his 
own grand division numbering forty thousand men, and 
two divisions from Hooker's grand division under the 
command of General Stoneman, numbering from fifteen 
to twenty thousand men, making a grand total of from 
fifty-five to sixty thousand men. He also had twenty- 
three batteries, one hundred and sixteen guns, besides 
sixty one guns, some of them of very large calibre, sta- 
tioned on the north bank of the river to protect the 
bridges. A portion of these guns under Captain De 
Russy, had obtained complete control of the Massaponax, 
from its mouth up to the position occupied by the enemy. 
With all this force at his disposal. General Franklin saw 
proper to order the attack to be made by two divisions, 
the Reserves numbering four thousand five hundred, and 
Gibbon's division something over five thousand men, in 
all at the outside ten thousand men. This was the force 
it was contemplated to make the attack with, though 
our own division was in reality the only one that crossed 
the railroad, and we reached a point almost three-quarters 
of a mile beyond. General ^'ranklin deemed it nt;cessary 
to keep between forty-five and fifty thousand infantry 



240 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

and a large number of guns to hold tlie bridges, that 
were two miles from ibe enemy, when twenty thousand 
men would have been amply sufficient, and if the heights 
had been held no infantry whatever would have been 
required for the purpose. 

But the General in his testimony before the "Com- 
mittee" states, " I never dreamed that this was considered 
as a strong attack at all until since the battle took place. 
At that time I had no idea that it was the main attack, 
but supposed it was an armed observation to ascertain 
where the enemy was." " That night," the General con- 
"tinues, " General Burnside sent for me, and I supposed 
his object in sending for me was to tell me what kind 
of attack -was to come off the next day." It is rather 
surprising that General Franklin with all his known and 
admitted ability, should have fought through the memo- 
rable battle of Fredericksburg without " dreaming" that 
anything more than "an armed reconnoissance" had 
taken place. He was subsequently suspended from his 
command for not being a better dreamer. 

The position held by the Confederates, and which our 
division attacked, was very faulty, as shown by our own 
maps afterwards, and the one captured from General 
Jackson. Jackson was thrown down on our left much 
too far, and if General Meade had received sufficient 
support to have enabled him to have held his position, 
it is believed that a portion of Jackson's forces and six 
or seven batteries could never have retired. And it is 
the unanimous opinion of the officers of the army, that 
being in the rear of the enemy's left, they would have 
been so shaken on the ridge, that the position in front 
could have been easily stormed and carried. 

But the crown of victory was snatched from the brow 
of the Keserves. 

While these operations were transpiring on the extreme 
left, the right was busily engaged, but with less success. 
General Sumner having received orders to storm the 
enemy's works on the extreme right immediatelj^ in the 



THE BATTLE OF FREDEBICKSBUKG. 241 

rear of Fredericksburg, selected the corps of Generals 
French and Hancock for that purpose. The works to 
be taken consisted of three tiers, the first an embanked 
stone wall, four or five hundred yards long, behind which 
infantry were posted, and with artillery enfilading it. 
The next tier was a more formidable row of fortifications, 
situated one mile in the rear on a higher position still. 
Between these were large masses of infantry. In the 
rear of this were other fortifications on still higher posi- 
tions. The first line of works was repeatedly assaulted, 
but in spite of all the efforts of the officers our men were 
driven back. The enemy held their fire until our troops 
arrived close up to the wall when they rose up and 
poured into them a fearful volley, their artillery enfi- 
lading the column at the same time on both sides. No 
troops could stand such a fire as they received. 

At two P. M., General Hooker was ordered to assault 
the same position and after trying to dissuade General 
Burnside from making the attack, he brought up all his 
available batteries, with a view to break away the barriers 
by the use of artillery. With these he continued to play 
with great vigor until sunset upon one point, but with 
no apparent effect upon the enemy or their works. 
About this time General Humphrey's division was 
ordered to form in column of assault. The men took 
off their knapsacks, overcoats and haversacks, as all 
troops do upon such occasions, and at the word " For- 
ward," they moved up to the works with empty muskets 
and with great impetuosity. The head of the column 
arrived within fifteen or twenty yards of the wall, when 
they were hurled back as quickly as they advanced, 
leaving one thousand seven hundred and sixty of their 
number out of about four thousand upon the field. The 
whole of the advance and retiring did not occupy fifteen 
minutes, and they probably did not kill a man. 

In addition to the musketry fire that the men were 
exposed to, the crest of the hills surrounding Fredericks- 
burg form almost a semi-circle, and these were filled 

16 



242 OUR CAMPAIGN'S. 

with artillery, and tlie focus was the column that moved 
up to this assault; and it was within good canister range. 
This was the favorite point of assault of General Burn- 
side, and he persisted in butting against it all day long. 

More or less artillery fighting was kept up all along 
the line through the day. 

After remaining behind the batteries for some time 
our division was. marched to the ground occupied the 
night before, where it was held in reserve. 

The loss of the army during the day was : 

Killed, 1,152 

Wounded, . 9,101 

Missing, 3,234 



Total, . 13,487 

Treated in Hospital, 1,630 

Killed, .1,152 



Total, . . . • . . . .2,782 

There is little doubt that the aggregate of cases re- 
turned as treated in hospital and the returns of killed 
will very nearly cover the whole amount of disabling 
casualties occurring at the battle. 

The return of killed may be too small, but the amount 
returned as treated in hospital is nearly sufficiently 
liberal to compensate for any such deficiency. 

The loss of the First Corps was :^ 

First Division, — General A. Doubleday. 

Officers, 12 

Men. 199 



Total, 211 

* Taken from the official report of Major-general Jolin F. Rey- 
nolds commanding First Army Corps. 



loss of the resekves. 243 

Second Division, — General John Gibbon. 

Officers, 76 

Men, 1,180 

Total, ....... 1,256 

Third Division, — General George G. Meade. 

Killed. 

Officers, 13 

Men, 158 

Total, .171 

Wounded. 

Officers, 52 

Men, . 1,150 

Total, 1,202 

Missing. 

Officers, 12 

Men, 457 

Total, 469 

Aggregate, 

Officers, 77 

Men, 1,765 

Total, 1,842 

Recapitulation. 

First Division, 211 

Second Division, 1,256 

Third Division, . . . " . . 1,842 

Total, 3,309 



244 OUE CAMPAIGNS. 

It will be observed that our division lost more than 
botli the others added together."^ 

There are some incidents that occurred during tbe 
battle that are worth relating. When we laid under a 
terrific shelling, prior to the charge, private John A. 
Camp, Company A, Eleventh Eeserves, was killed in 
the rear of our regiment, and General Meade, through 
some queer fancy, ordered one of our officers to have 
him buried. A grave was dug with bayonets and hands, 
and wrapping the soldier in his blanket he was laid in 
his honorable grave, while the shells were singing his 
requiem over head. Nearly eighty dollars was found 
upon his person, which was turned over to the officer 
commanding his company. 

Young Charles Upjohn, Company K, captured the 
ISTineteenth Georgia's flag, but the captain of Camp's 
company unjustly and ungenerously took it from him, 
and claimed the honor himself. 

A boy of about fifteen shot a Union soldier, and 
dropping his rifle, ran, but was pursued by two men, 
who were on the point of bayonetting him, when an 
officer interfered and saved his life. It was some time 
before the boy could comprehend what the intention of 
the officer was, and so thoroughly convinced was he that 
the Yankees would kill him, that he followed the officer 
through the hottest portion of the battle, preferring to 
run his risk with him, than to trusting himself with any 
one else. 

An amusing incident occurred during the charge. A 

captain of the regiment received a slight wound 

on his knee, and down he went to the ground, but for- 
tunately a stretcher was near, and he was lifted help- 
lessly upon it, and started for the rear. They had not 
proceeded far, with their precious charge, before a shell 
exploded in close proximity, when the wounded officer, 
springing to his feet, cried out, " Hike out, boys, that's too 

* See Appendix A. 



INCIDENTS. 245 

hot for me/'^ and, suiting his action to his words, ran like 
a deer, leaving the amazed carriers far in the rear * 

Color-sergeant William Derr, who was as brave a 
boy as ever wore a blue coat, was shot on the plateau as 
we were crossing the fence. Colonel McCandless ordered 
a couple of men to carry him to the rear, but he refused 
to permit them, telling them to "take the flag and go 
on." 

Our flagstaff was cut in two, by a round shot, when 
we were lying down. The boys, jumping to their feet/ 
gave three cheers and then laid down again. 

^ Dr. Donnelly having been detailed to division field hos- 
pital, Dr. Coleman was left in charge of our regiment,* and 
before night all our wounded men were collected together 
in one house, where they received all the kindness that 
could be bestowed upon them. Coffee and gruel was 
soon furnished them, and hardly a groan escaped their 
lips. 

Every thing passed off quietly through the night, and 
the next day, although we were under arms several 
times, and cannonading continued off and on all day. 
Colonel William Sinclair, having been severely wounded, 
the command of our brigade devolved upon Colonel 
McCandless, and Captain McDonough having received 
an injury in his eye the day before. Captain Mealey took 
command of the regiment. 

On Saturday night, General Burnside determined upon 
the insane renewal of the assault upon the works in the 



* No one is more entitled to our pity than he who, having en- 
tered the army without consulting his own heart, discovers in the 
hour of danger, that he is deficient in courage. If he continues in 
the service, he will assuredly be covered with disgrace ; and if the 
army regulations would permit him to resign, except for disability 
the reason will be discovered, whatever pains he may take to con- 
ceal it ; thus in either case he will find himself exposed to the deri- 
sion and contempt of his comrades. A clergyman may impose upon 
the world by the exterior of gravity, and may feign a piety which 
he does not feel, but the coward cannot luug maintam with success 
that of bravery, for the trial is too bevcre. 



246 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

rear of Fredericksburg, on the following morning, and 
the column of attack was formed, but through the urgent 
solicitation of General Sumner, who represented that he 
did not know of any general officer who approved it, he 
countermanded the order. Through Sunday night there 
was considerable picket firing, and on Monday a? flag of 
truce was agreed upon, to bring off the wounded and 
bury the dead, for which purpose details were made from 
the various regiments. 

On Monday night, the 15th, soon after dark, we were 
got under arms, and leaving our camp fires brightly burn- 
ing, moved slowly and noiseless towards the river, which 
we crossed on muffled pontoons, and moved back about 
a mile. The crossing on the right was soon afterwards 
commenced, and by morning the whole army was safely 
over, without the loss of a man or a gun. A more com- 
plete or successful evacuation of a position had not beea 
made during the war. 

The battle of Fredericksburg was lost, the bright 
hopes of the Nation and the army were blasted, and the 
victory that was within our grasp was gone forever. 
Let us review briefly, some of the causes of it. On the 
17th of November, General Sumner arrived at Falmouth, 
opposite Fredericksburg, which at that time was garri- 
soned by about five hundred Confederate troops. The 
general expected to find the pontoons there when he 
arrived, or very soon afterwards. If such had been the 
case, he would have seized the crest in the rear of the 
town, and the enemy would have been forced to have 
given battle at some other point nearer Eichmond. The 
pontoons did not arrive for over three weeks afterwards, 
thus enabling the enemy to concentrate his forces and to 
fortify his extraordinarily strong position. 

If General Burnside had kept himself properly posted 
as to the whereabouts of the pontoons, and had not ad- 
vanced on Fredericksburg, thereby divulging to the 
enemy his plan of campaign, until the time of their 
arrival, and had made feint movements towards Culpeper, 



STRENGTH OF THE ARMIES. 247 

he might have taken the enemy by surprise at Frede- 
ricksburg, and have accomplished the same end. 

It has been shown if General Franklin had properly 
supported f Meade's charge, a victory was almost certain 
to have resulted to our arms. 

While these faults are apparent on our side, it is 
equally clear that the enemy did not make proper use 
of his victory. If he had set fire to Fredericksburg, at 
any time between the close of the battle on the 13th and 
the night of the 15th, and have opened with all his guns 
and made a grand charge with his infantry, the result 
must have been most fearful to the Union army. 

The Union force upon the south side of the river was 
about one hundred thousand men, not more than fifty 
thousand of whom were engaged in battle. The Confede- 
rate forces have been variously estimated at from one 
hundred to two hundred thousand men, but probably 
eighty-five thousand is nearer the mark. The Union 
army never went into battle in better spirits than they 
did that day, they being confident of victory and believ- 
ing it would be the last great battle of the war. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

PiCKPJT TRUCE AND FIGHTING. FAREWELL OF GENERAL MeADE. 

The Mud Expedition. General Buenside relieved by 
General Hooker. Ordered to Alexandria. To Fairfax 
Court House, Picket at Bull Run. Capture of General 
Stoughton. Promotions. 

Upon our re-crossing, our regiment and the " Buck- 
tails" were immediately detailed to guard the river below 
the lower pontoon bridges, and opposite the Bernard 
House, and before daylight we had a number of good 
rifle pits dug to shelter the men in. As daylight ap- 
proached, a few stragglers could be seen hurrying towards 



240 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

the river, and some hours afterwards the enemy's scouts 
appeared ; but lo — the blue birds had flown. On the 
left of our line, the most amicable relationship was 
established between the pickets, they coming down to the 
river banks and conversing freely, expressing their 
mutual regrets that they had no means of visiting one 
another. 

" IIow are you Yanks ; I guess you found it rather 
unhealthy over here." 

" How are you Eebs ; how did you like Antietam ?" 

" About as well as you liked Bull Run." 

" Can't you sing us ' My Maryland,' " 

" D — n Maryland, can't you rig up a raft and come 
over and trade ?" 

Late in the afternoon some of the boys of Company C, 
got permission of one of our officers to come down and 
talk with them. 

'' Why don't you officers go home, and let us privates 
settle the war." 

" How do you want to settle it ?" 

" Why, you Yanks go home and let us alone, and we 
won't come up north to fight you." 

" Then you want your independence acknowledged ?" 

•' Certainly ; that's what we are fighting for." 

And this is the universal sentiment throughout the 
whole South. They have been willing and anxious for 
peace from the beginning, but only on these inadmissible 
terms. 

On the right of the line, these amicable relations wero 
not maintained. A fine horse was discovered on the 
south side of the river, and some of Company H deter- 
mined to kill it. Soon after several shots were fired, a bat^ 
lery posted in our rear, supposing we were engaged with 
the enemy, opened fire, one shell blowing a small fraction 
of the Southern Confederacy into atoms. Two others at 
the same time were wounded. Some of the shells, how- 
ever, were cut short, and a piece of one struck one of 
our officers on the hand and buried itself between his 



WHITE OAK CHURCH. 249 

feet, without inflicting more than a painful blow. Soon 
after, Captain Mealey, while standing behind a rifle-pit, 
received a most painful wound in the right arm from a 
sharpshooter behind a tree. Companies B and H imme- 
diately opened an enfilading fire upon the tree, and there 
is no doubt the rascal was killed. Captain Mealey's 
loss was severely felt, he being one of our most gallant 
ofS.cers. The senior of&cer present declining to assume 
the command, it devolved upon the adjutant. 

About this- time the extreme right, became briskly 
engaged with the pickets across the river, some of whom 
occupied a frame house. The " Bucktails" mounted a 
" Quaker gun," and going through all the motions of the 
gunners fired in volleys, skedaddling the enemy from 
the house, they at first being deceived by them. Towards 
night, the enemy called over that as we had wounded 
some of their men whom they wanted to get and take 
care of, and as it was getting cold, we had better stop 
fighting, build fires, cook our suppers and go to sleep. 
The proposition was at once agreed to, and soon bright 
fires lined both banks of the river, and the boys were 
talking and joking as if they were old friends. 

Towards night Captain Connors rejoined and took 
command of the regiment, he having recovered from his 
wound at Bull Eun. Late that night we were relieved 
by some New York troops, and proceeded to a neigh- 
boring woods, built fires and slept with the Twent3'--fourth 
Michigan Volunteers. 

The next morning we marched into camp, where Cap- 
tain McDonough assumed command of the regiment. 
The day after at noon we struck tents and marched about 
five miles and bivouacked in an open field. The next 
morning, the 20th, we marched early, about one mile, and 
formed an encampment in a thick pine forest on a hill- 
side near White Oak Church. 

Here the boys made themselves as comfortable as cir- 
cumstances would permit. Some of them dug pits about 
two ieet deep which they' logged up some distance above 



250 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

ground and stretched their shelter tents over. Comfort- 
able fire-places and chimneys were built, and with an 
abundance of dry leaves to sleep upon, they got along 
quite comfortably. Two or four generally bunked 
together, and by splicing blankets and laying "spoon 
fashion" they slept quite warm. 

Nothing of importance occurred until the 25th, when 
Major-General Meade being assigned to the command 
of the Fifth Army Corps, bid farewell to our division in 
the following order : 

General Order, No. 101. 

Headquarters, Third Division, ) 
December 2oth, 1863. j 

In announcing tire" above order, which separates the 
commanding general from the division, he takes occasion 
to express to the officers and men, that notwithstanding 
his just pride at being promoted to a higher command, 
he experiences a deep feeling of regret at parting from 
those with whom he has been so long associated, and to 
whose services he here acknowledges his indebtedness 
for whatever reputation he may have acquired. 

The commanding general will never cease to remem- 
ber that he belonged to the Reserve Corps ; he will watch 
with eagerness for the deeds of fame which he feels sure 
they will enact under the command of his successors, 
and, although sadly reduced in numbers from the casual- 
ties of battle, yet he knows the Reserves will always be 
ready and prompt to uphold the honor and glory of their 
State. 

By command of 

MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE. 

(Signed.) 

Edward C. Baird, 

A. A. G. 

The command of our division now devolved upon 
Colonel Horatio G. Sickel, of the Third Reserves, who 



.buknside's mud expedition. 251 

was one of our most gallant officers^ he having served 
with great credit and ability through all the battles we 
had fought. 

While we laid here we experienced constant and heavy 
rain and snow storms, that turned our encampment into 
a vast mud puddle, and rendered the roads almost 
impassable. Almost daily details were made from the 
regiments to corduroy the roads, and we passed our time 
about as disagreeably as possible. 

As early as the 26th, orders were received to have 
three days rations in haversacks and sixty rounds of 
cartridges per man, and to be prepared to move at a 
moment's notice. 

On the 80th, a thousand picked cavalry with four 
pieces of artillery under General Averill, crossed the 
Eappahannock at the upper fords intending to make a 
complete circuit of Eichmond, destroying bridges and 
railroads on their route, and join General Peck at Suffolk, 
where they were to be transferred back to Aquia creek 
by steamboats. It was the intention that the main army 
should advance at the same time, and turn the enemy's 
right or left flank, but through the unauthorized inter- 
ference of Generals Cochrane and Newton, who had pro- 
ceeded to Washington, the President was induced to 
suspend the movement. 

The order to hold ourselves in readiness to move, was 
however, repeatedly renewed up to January 20th, when 
at twelve M., we broke camp and moved up the river ten 
miles, where we halted at dark and bivouacked iu a thick 
scrub oak forest. About four o'clock it commenced 
raining, and continued so to do without intermission all 
night. By the next morning the roads and the whole 
face of the country was impassable. We, however, were 
got under way about daylight, marching some three 
miles, and halting near the river back of Bank's Ford. 
Here the army was brought to a stand still, it literally 
having stuck in the mud. The pontoon trains could not 
move at all. The supply trains were in the rear unable 



252 OUE CAMPAIGNS. ^ 

to come up, and twenty- eight liorses stalled with a 
cannon. It was next to impossible to get our camp-fires 
lit, and the cold rain descended in torrents all day. The 
enemy, who for some time, had known of a contemplated 
movement, were more definitely posted from the fact of 
General Sumner having moved his wagons and artillery 
on the crest of the hills back of Falmouth, in full view 
of them, and they were in force on the opposite bank at 
the Ford to meet us, and tantalizingly offered to send a 
brigade over to help us lay our pontoons. 

We remained here until the morning of the 23d, when 
finding the utter impracticability of carrying out the en- 
terprize, the commands were ordered to retrace their steps 
back to their various old camps, and we reaching ours late 
in the afternoon. Our division ambulances were sent out 
and brought in twenty loads of prostrated men. During 
this movement not a particle of forage was furnished for 
the field and staff horses. 

Thus ended " Burnsides' mud expedition." 

Soon after Major-general Joseph Hooker was ap- 
pointed to the command of the Army of the Potomac, 
General Burnside being relieved at his own request. 

Nothing of interest occurred in camp until dark on 
the 6th of February, when a telegram was received from 
General Doubleday, our division commander, stating that 
in consideration of the arduous and gallant services of 
the Keserves, they were to be withdrawn to AVashington 
"to rest and recruit," which news was received with 
great joy. In despite of the raw and unpleasant weather, 
the camp fires were soon burning brightly, around which 
the men were gathered, talking of the good times com- 
ing. The next morning early, the men were all up and 
soon every thing was packed to move. At three, P. M., 
the order to march came, and soon after the bugles rang 
out the joyful "assembly," and bidding farewell to our 
oJd camp, and the gallant One-hundred -and twenty-first 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, who had been temporarily 
attached to us beibre the battle of Fredericksburg, we 



BULL RUN PICKET. 253 

took up our march for Belle Plains, wliicli tliough but 
four miles distance, on account of the bad state of 
the roads, was not reached until after dark. Here, 
in the freezing cold and deep mud, we had to stand 
until two o'clock the next morning before we could 
embark, soon after which we were on our way up trie 
Potomac, and landed at Alexandria at nine, A. M., the 
same day. After some delay, we marched throagh the 
city to near the Cemetery, where we laid last April, and 
there on a bleak hill bivouacked. 

Captain McDonough being taken sick was sent home, 
and the command of the regiment devolved upon Cap- 
tain P. I. Smith. Our stay here was very unpleasant, 
we having little or no wood to cook with ; and on the 
morning of the 12th, at eight o'clock, we marched to the 
depot of the Orange and Alexandria Eailroad and em- 
barked upon the platform cars, and proceeded to Fairfax 
Station, where we alighted, and marching to Fairfax 
Court House proceeded about one mile beyond and en- 
camped in a heavy woods. 

On the 20th Lieutenant- colonel Woodward arrived in 
camp and superceded Captain Smith, and the next day, 
at daylight, our regiment started for Bull Eun to go on 
picket. On arriving at Union Mills, our colonel reported 
to General Hays, who sent a dashing young aid, all 
covered with gold to receive us. Upon his arrival he 
inquired for Captain Keitzel, who was temporarily in 
charge of the regiment. It should be mentioned here, 
that the officers of the Keserves were never particularly 
noted for their fine uniforms and gold lacings, and es- 
pecially after going through the memorable campaign 
of 1862. In fact, Captain Reitzel wore nothing to indi- 
cate he was an officer but his sword, and that was con- 
cealed under his overcoat. Besides, the captain, like 
many other old campaigners, went out provided with 
the implements of comfort, an axe and frymg-pan. The 
aid was duly saluted by the captain, who informed him 
he was the individual sought for, but his indignation at 



254 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

the impudence of the "pioneer," as he called him, waxed 
exceedingly warm, and he was on the point of running 
him down when he discovered his mistake, which created 
a hearty laugh all round, in which the little German aid 
joined. In the mean time, a fine brass band, sent by 
the general, arrived and escorted us to our encampment. 
As this was the first time we had ever been escorted any 
where, except to the battle-field, the boys stepped off 
quite lively to the soul-inspiring strains. 

The nice little aid, before parting, made us generous 
promises of plenty of tents, clothes and food, with fresh 
beef and bread to boot, and we really began to think we 
had got into good quarters, when along came an abomin- 
able orderly, with orders for us to fall in to relieve the 
pickets. It was now night. We had just got our fires 
started and were preparing our coffee, but strike tents 
and fall in was the order, so off we started through the 
forests and over the hills of Bull Run to the fords. 
Soon a blinding snow-storm set in, bewildering and 
almost benumbing us. It was daybreak the next 
morning before our left companies reached their posts, 
our line extending over seven miles. The snow con- 
tinued falling all the next day, giving us but little 
opportunity to erect comfortable shelter. Our posts at 
the fords were almost nightly visited by the guerrillas, 
who exchanged a few shots with the pickets and dis- 
appeared. When a shot was fired, not knowing the 
strength or object of the enemy, the reserve at the post 
was turned out, and as this occurred several times 
through the night, the men's sleep was constantly liable 
to be disturbed. This tour of duty lasted sixteen days, 
and we were all glad when it was over. 

At the camp near Fairfax Court House there were left 
over forty men under the charge of the adjutant, com- 
posed of the guard, the sick, and those in arrest for going 
home on " French." At midnight on the 1st of March we 
were all aroused by heavy firing in the front, and the 
men being got under arms were started for a swamp in 



CAPTUKE OF STOUGHTON". 255 

the rear of tlie camp, when an order came from Colonel 
Woodward, commanding our brigade, for ns to report 
to Captain Taylor, commanding the " Bucktails," where 
we stayed until morning. 

The next night, about twelve o'clock, orders were re- 
ceived to send two officers and twenty-five men on picket, 
on the Aldie road. Not having that many men to detail, 
those in arrest were offered their release if they would go, 
which they gladly accepted. All, however, passed 
quietly through the night. These alarms occurred 
almost nightly. 

Near midnight on the 8th, a body of the enemy's cav- 
alry quietly came into Fairfax Court House, and seized 
Acting Brigadier-General Stoughton, a number of his 
staff' and guard, at the house of Miss Ford, and carried 
them off. The affair was a bold, dashing act, and the 
officer in command deserves great credit lor the adroit- 
ness with which he managed it. No one was to blame 
for the mishap but the colonel himself, whose nomina- 
tion to a brigadier-generalship was consequently with- 
drawn by the President. 

The regiment was relieved at dark on the 8th, and 
marching down to Union Mills, we laid there through 
the night, and returned to camp the next day under Cap- 
tain Smith, he again being the senior officer. 

During the absence of the regiment. Captain John M. 
Clark's caisson company (F) reported in camp. They 
were a fine set of Pennsylvanians, numbering sixty mus- 
kets, and were welcomed by all. Before our return 
wedge tents had been drawn for the regiment, and put 
up by F, in a fine heavy woods were the boys found 
every thing comfortably prepared for them. 

On the 16th, Colonel Sinclair returned and took com- 
mand of the brigade, and at noon the same day, we broke 
camp, and moved to the outskirts of the town, and com- 
menced throwing up rifle pits which commanded the 
Centreville road. The cause of these precautions were 
that the enemy's cavalry having crossed the Eappahan- 



256 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

nock, were operating on General Hooker's right, and as 
far north as this neighborhood. . , . a 

With the exception of the usual night alarms, and 
heavy rain and snow storms, nothing of note transpired 
until the morning of the 28th, when we broke camp and 
marched across the fields and through the woods to 1^ air- 
fax Station. The distance was but four miles, but as it 
had been raining hard all night and day, it took us as 
many hours to march it. It was amusing to see the men 
lauo-h and joke and swear by turns, trying to keep up 
then- good spirits as they toiled, under theiT heavy knap- 
sacks, and plunged through the mud up to their knees, 
and wet to the skin. It was late before our wagons 
arrived, and temporarily pitching our tents for the night 
we managed' to get along pretty comfortably. ^ The next 
day our camp was regularly laid out m a heavy pme 
woods, and all things put to rights. . 

About this time Lieutenant Justus was appointed 
acting quartermaster, vice A. Q. M. Ross, who was de- 
tailed on recruiting service. -, • j • 

On the 23d of April, Captain McDonough arrived in 
camp and assumed command of the regiment. ^ 

Considerable labor was expended m arranging our 
camp, in felling the trees not required for shade, cutting 
the stumps off close to the ground, burmng the brush 
and rubbish, and thoroughly policing the whole neigh- 
borhood The avenues and streets were planted with 
rows of heavy cedar trees, which afforded a cool and 
pleasant shade, and buried our camp in a grove. 

About the 1st of May, the commissions of the loiiow- 
ing named offices, promoted for gallant conduct were 

received ' 

Lieutenant-coionel William McCandless to be Colonel 
from November 1st, 1861, vice Wm. B. Mann, resigned. 
Major a A. Woodward to be lieutenant-colonel trom 
• June 30th, 1862, vice William McCandless promoted. 
Sergeant-major E. M. Woodward to be adjatant, from 
September 18, 1862, vice Aug. T. Cross, killed. Quarter- 



PROMOTIONS. 'lOi 

master Charles F. Hoyt to be captain and commissaT v- 
sergeant from July 1st, 1802. Commissary-sergeant W. 
A. Hoyt to be quarter-master from January 6tli, 1863, 
vice Charles F. Hoyt, promoted. 

Company A. — First Lieutenant Daniel H. Connors to 
be captain from June 80th, 1862, vice Horace Neide, pro- 
moted. Second Lieutenant John J. Eoss to be first lieu- 
tenant from June 30th, 1862, vice Daniel H. Connors, 
promoted. First Sergeant Daniel Craig to be second lieu- 
tenant from June 30th, 1862, vice John J. Ross, promoted. 

Gompanij G. — First Sergeant Andrew Casey to be 
second lieutenant from June 80th, 1862, vice James R. 
Nightingale, killed. 

Company D. — First Sergeant Thomas Canavan to be 
first Lieutenant from November 25th, 1862, vice John 
M. Curley, honorably discharged. Second Sergeant 
Robert R. Smith to be second lieutenant from December 
3d, 1862, vice George H. Young, honorably discharged. 

Company E. — First Sergeant John Taylor, to be first 
lieutenant from July 12, 1862, vice J. Baxter Fletcher, 
killed. Second Sergeant Andrew McLean,' to be second 
lieutenant from October 25th, 1862, vice Alexander Black, 
honorably discharged. 

Company F. — First Lieutenant John M. Clark to be 
captain from August 1st, 1862, vice John B. Barnacle, 
honorably discharged. Second Lieutenant Robert J. 
Clark to be first lieutenant from November 23d, 1862. 
vice John M. Clark, promoted. 

Company G. — First Sergeant Elisha P. Woodward to 
be Second Lieutenant from September 17th, 1862, vice 
Max Wimpfheimer, killed. 

Company II. — First Sergeant William McGlenn to be 
Second Lieutenant from December 25th, 1862, vice 
Richard Clendenning, honorably discharged. 

At the same time Sergeant Joseph Benison, Company 
H, was appointed sergeant-major, from January 1st, 1863, 
and George W. Fernon, Company C, commissary-ser- 
geant, from January 6ih, 1863. 

17 



953 OUE CAMPAIGNS. 

The ouorrillas about tbis time -became exceedingly 
troublesome, frequently attacking the picket posts and 
ailroad trails. In one of these attacks a P^jate of ^he 
Seventh Michigan Cavalry named Andrew McClam, was 
womXl and brought to 'our hospital, where Ije Ungered 
for nine days. Upon a post-mortem examma ion being 
made it was^found that a pistol ball had entered h,s back- 
bone and passed up through the spinal marrow eight 
indies which should have produced almost instant death. 
Sm'hTs shoulders down be was completely paralyzed, 
and mortification had commenced in his ne*e}; ^^^ 

Towards the latter part of May, Colonel Wul am bin- 
clair commanding our brigade, resigned as colonel ot 
t!,o mxth Reserves to take command ot a battery oi 
Itse aSllery rthe west, and Colonel McCandless sue- 
pppflpfl him in the command. 

Lieutenlt-colonel Woodward being relieved from 
duty at Washington, took command of our re|imen 
Captain McDonough was appointed fj^^^e gean^ 
PMior Joseph Benison, second lieutenant of Company ii, 
and SergeLt D. H. Pidgeon of Company K, sergeant- 

'''S'the 2d of June we were paid off by Major Gideon- 
Ball, six months being due us. Prcwford 
About this time. Brigadier-general S. W.Ciawlorc 
wa; appointed to the command of <>-. ^ms-^/^f^ 
established his headquarters near our 1^, sf «„ j^^on. 
euemv were concentrating on Hooker s right hank con 
siderJb ^skirmishing took place below m the neighbor- 
hood of the KappahaSnoek, and the trains were constan y 
conveying forage and provisions there, and bringing up 
v/ounded soldiers and prisoners. 



MARCHING NOETH. 259 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Our Petition. March to Pennsylvania. Happy Day. Battle 
OP Gettysburg. Losses op the Armies. 

Shortly after the defeat of our army at Cliaucellor- 
ville, Governor Curtin became tlioroughly convinced 
that the enemy contemplated an invasion of Maryland 
and Pennsylvania, and although he made strenuous 
efforts to induce the General Government to adopt meas- 
ures for defence, he could not prevail upon them to act, 
until the enemy had crossed the Potomac. His re'pre- 
sentations and advice were unheeded and many of the 
newspapers treated with levity his " unnecessary alarm." 
But at last, after much valuable time had been lost, the 
authorities awakened to the realization of the fact, and 
commenced vigorous preparations to repel the invaders. 

On the 15th, long trains of ambulances, wagons and 
the reserve artillery from the army on the Rappahannock 
passed by our camp moving northward. The same day 
General Hooker and staff passed by, and towards night 
the Twelfth Army Corps arrived. All were in most 
excellent spirits and were confident of victory in the 
coming battle. On the 17th, the main body and the rear 
guard of the army arrived and resting a night and part 
of a day moved on. 

To see the whole army moving to meet the enemy 
Avhom we knew were in Pennsylvania threatening our 
homes and loved ones, and for us to remain behind was 
rather mortifjdng, and although we had sent officers to 
Washington to intercede for marching orders for us,, we 
met with no encouragement. On the 17th, we therefore, 
addressed the following communication to Colonel 
McCandless, who forwarded it through the proper 
channel to Washington, where it materially assisted 
in producing the desired effect : 



2 go OtJB CAMPAIGNS. 

HEADQUAKTEr.S SECOND ReGDIEKT In''A|TET P. R. V. C. | 

Fairfax Station, Va., June 1 itli, \bM. J 

To Colonel William McCandless, 

Commanaing First Brigade, 
Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. 

Colonel :-AVe, the undersigned, officers of the Second 
Ee-toent InfantrV, Pennsylvania Eeserve A olunteer 
Con™ havin-^- learned that onr mother State ha. been 
h3ed by a Confederate force, respectfully ask, hat 
voirwill if it be in your power, have us ordered withm 
the borders of our State, for her defence. 

Under McCall, Reynolds, Meade, Seymour, Sinclair 
and vourself, we have more than once met and fought 
?he- enemy, when he was at home. We now wish to 
meet hi^ again where he threatens our homes, our 
fimilies and our firesides. -,. t r- ^ 

Could our wish in this behalf be -ahzed we fee 
confident that we could do some service to the Sta e that 
sent us to the field, and not dimmish, if we could not 
increase, the lustre that already attaches to our name. 
AYe are, Colonel, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servants, 
Geo a Woodwaed, Lieutenant-colonel Second regi- 

'ment P. E. Y. C, commanding the regiment, 
P McDoNOUGH, Major Second regiment, 
e' M Woodward, Adjutant Second regiment, 
James C. Justus, Acting Quartermaster Second regi- 

E A Jackson, Assistant Surgeon Second regiment, 

Daniel H. Conno,rs, Captain Company A, 

Jaisies C Manton, Lieut enant-com ng Company 13, 

James N. Byrnes, Captain Company C, 

Tho's Canavan, First Lieutenant Company D, 

John Taylor, First Lieutenant Co. E, 

Andrew McLean, Second Lieutenant Company E, 

John M. Clark, Captain Company F, 

Robert J. Clark, First Lieutenant Company i^ 



CROSSING THE POTOMAC. 261 

AY. D. B.EITZEL, Captain Company G, 

J. L. Ehoads, First Lieutenant Company (x, 

E. P. AYooDWARD, Second Lieutenant Company G, 

William McGlexn First Lietenant-com'g ComJDany H, 

Joseph Bexisox, Second Lieutenant Company 11. 

In the mean time Generals Keynolds and Meade had 
both apphed to the War Department to have the Pre- 
serves attached to their corps. General Eeynolds was 
offered m lieu a full division, which he declined. Gene- 
ral Meade, however, succeeded in having us assigned to 
his corps, but the day we joined him, he left us to assume 
the important post of commander of the Army of the 
Potomac, the proudest position any general in America 
could aspire to. 

At last, on the 25th, orders were received to move im- 
mediateljr^ and at five that afternoon we left Fairfax Sta- 
tion, and marched in a northwesterly direction through 
Vienna, near which we bivouacked at eleven o'clock 
that night. Just as we started it commenced raining, 
and continued so to do all night. The next morning at 
lour o'clock we resumed our march, continuing in°the 
same direction passing between Drainesville and Lees- 
burg and making Goose creek that night. Thr(5ugh the 
day the rain was most violent and constant, rendering 
the roads almost knee-deep in mud, and as we were 
making forced marches many of the wearied boys fell 
out, and did not get up with us until daylight the next 
morning. Eain, however, is preferable to dust. 

The Third brigade. Colonel J. W. Fisher, joined us in 
the morning from Alexandria; the Second brigade, 
Colonel II. G. Sickel, being retained for the defence of 
Washington. The next morning, at daylight, we re- 
sumed our march, parsing near a portion of the field of 
the "Ball's Bluft' massacre," and crossing the Potomac at 
Edwards^ Ferry on pontoons. That night we made the 
mouth^of the ]\[onocacy in spite of the heavy roads. 

Sunday the 28di was a clear and pleasant day, and at 



262 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

dayliglit we moved off and soon crossed the aqueduct of 
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal over the Monocacy, and 
passing through Buckeystown we bivouacked about two 
miles from Frederick. Here we came up with the 
main army, and reported to General Sykes, commanding 
the Fifth Army Corps, to which we were assigned. 
This corps, until then, had been commanded by General 
Meade, who had made application to have us sent to 
him, but the day of our arrival General Hooker was re- 
lieved of the command of the army, and he assigned to it. 

We started the next day at noon, and moving a few 
miles halted in a lane nearly all the afternoon, and at 
seven crossed the Monocacy bridge on the Baltimore 
pike, and turned up the banks of the stream heading 
north. Soon after we waded the stream and struck 
across the fields, and about ten o'clock bivouacked in a 
wood, having made a tiresome day's march of but ten 
miles. This slow marching was occasioned by our being 
the rear guard of the Eeserve artillery, which consisted 
of two hundred and forty-eight guns, supplied with two 
hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition each, making in 
all six-two thousand rounds. Before night that day the 
enemy's cavalry entered Frederick. That night heavy 
details were made from our regiment for a wagon guard. 

The next morning we marched early, passing through 
Liberty, Union Bridge and Union Town, where a pon- 
toon train that accompanied us that day created much 
wonderment among the rustics, who did not believe we 
could do much with our "gun boats" up in the moun- 
tains. We marched twenty miles and bivouacked near 
dark two miles beyond Union Town and mustered 
for pay. 

The next morning, July 1st, we moved at five o'clock, 
and ascertaining that the enemy's scouts had been in the 
neighborhood the day before, each regiment threw out 
flankers to the right and left, in which way we advanced 
for several miles, when the country became of such a 
nature that cavahy could not operate against us, and 



CROSSIN"G THE LINE. 263 

they were called in. About two we halted Avithm a few 
hundred yards of the Pennsylvania State line, and rested 
ourselves. That day was one of the happiest of our 
lives, and every heart beat warm with the thought, we 
would soon press the soil of our mother State, in whose 
defence we were marching. The brigade bands and regi- 
mental drum corps poured forth their soul-inspiring airs 
from morning till night, and light was the tread of our 
feet to their notes. About three o'clock we were drawn 
up to hear a patriotic address from General Crawford, 
after which we marched on, and as we crossed the line, 
cheer after cheer rang out from the regiments, which 
rolled over the hills and through the valleys until lost 
in the far distance. Soon we came to a fine open woods 
where we halted until night, rolling on the good old soil 
of Pennsylvania and listening to the sweet airs of the 
bands. Abundance ofj rations and sixty rounds of car- 
tridges per man were distributed, the former for our- 
selves and the latter for our friends the " Graybacks." 

While lying here, through the branches above, amidst 
the bright sunshine, a lai-ge star was discerned shining 
over us with all the brilliancy of a heavenly visitant, 
which was gazed upon by all with great interest, and 
received as an omen of victory, which, happily, it proved 
to be. 

While here all our wagons were sent to Westminster, 
some twenty-five miles from the battle-field, and the 
ammunition wagons and ambulances were pushed for- 
ward. At dark we again took up our march, and a long 
weary one it proved. We did not rest until two the 
next morning, when we laid down in an open woods, 
having made twenty miles during the day and being awake 
twenty-two hours. But in one hour's time the drums 
beat the reveille, and soon after we were again in motion, 
moving slowly and cautiously along the roads and across 
the fields, and about noon we struck the pike and soon 
filed off* to the left into a field in the rear of the line of 
battle. 



264 our campaigns. 

The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1st, 2d, and 3d. — 
The enemy, who, as early as the 13th ult. gave battle to 
General Milroy, at Winchester, Virginia, and the next 
day precipitated him to a disastrous and disgraceful 
flight, with their advance guard, one thousand five 
hundred strong, under General Jenkins, entered Cham- 
bersburg, Pennsylvania, at eight and a half P. M., on 
the 15th, but being without infantry support, evacuated 
the same on the 17th and withdrew to Hagerstown, 
Maryland with the horses and cattle they had plundered 
the defenceless farmers of. The enemy continued to 
cross the Potomac in force, and on the night of the 30th 
had concentrated within a short distance of Gettysburg, 
seventy-six thousand infantry and a large number of 
cavalry. Confronting this was the First Corps, General 
Eeynolds, eight thousand strong; the Eleventh Corps, 
General Howard, fifteen thousand; and six thousand 
cavalry under General Buford, making a total of twenty- 
nine thousand men. 

For this little band of Union troops to give battle to 
such an overwhelming force of the enemy, seemed the 
extreme of rashness, but the eagle eye of Keynolds saw 
at a glance, that to secure and hold, until the main body 
of our army arrived, the ridges and positions upon which 
the great battle was subsequently fought was of vital 
importance to the success of our arms. He was too true 
a soldier to shrink from the responsibility of defeat, 
when the good of the cause demanded battle, and he 
hesitated not to engage the enemy. 

On the morning of the 1st of July, at half past nine 
o'clock, General Buford dismounted a portion of his 
cavalry and commenced skirmishing with the enemy, 
who had debouched his infautry through the mountains 
on Cashtown, and about ten o'clock several pieces of light 
artillery were brought into play. Soon after General 
Reynolds moved around the town of Gettysburg and 
advanced on the Cashtown road, and immediately deploy- 
ing his advance division, attacked the enemy, and at the 



THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBUKG. 265 

same time sent orders for the Eleventh Corps, General 
Howard, to advance as promptly as possible. 

Soon after making his disposition for attack, Gene- 
ral Heynolds fell mortally wounded ; the • command 
of the First Corps devolving on Major-general Double- 
day, and of the field, on Major-general Howard, 
who arrived about half past eleven, A. M., with the 
Eleventh Corps, then commanded by Major-general 
Schurz. General Howard pushed forward two divisions 
of the Eleventh Corps to support the First Corps, now 
warmly engaged with the enemy on the north of the 
town, and posted his third division, with three batteries, 
on the Cemetery ridge, on the south side of the town. 
Prior to the arrival of the Eleventh Corps the First had 
fought with determined bravery, double their number, 
for two hours, and not only held their own, but drove 
the enemy back in their furious charges, and about one 
P. M. Wadsworth's division captured General Archer 
and his whole brigade, n'lmbering about one thousand 
five hundred men, who had attempted to flank them. 

Between one and two o'clock the enemy received 
reinforcements on the Cashtown road, and E well's Corps 
came in on the York and Harrisburg roads and formed 
a junction, which enabled them to bring vastly superior 
forces against both the First and the Eleventh Corps, 
outflanking our line of battle and pressing it so severely 
that, about four o'clock General Howard deemed it pru- 
dent to withdraw these two corps to the Cemetery ridge, 
on the south side of the^ town, which operation was suc- 
cessfully accomplished, but not, however, without the 
loss of about two thousand five hundred prisoners, who 
being much crowded in passing through the streets, and 
somewhat confused, were unable to repel the enemy who 
pressed hard upon them. At this time the combined 
forces of Heath, Pender, Khoads, and Early, amounted 
to forty thousand men, while those opposed to ttem did 
not exceed twenty thousand. At one time, during the 
alternate advance and backward movements, we lost onj 



268 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

thousand nine liundred prisoners, all of whom were 
retaken, and a Mississippi regiment, numbering eight 
hundred men made prisoners. 

About the time of the Avithdrawal, Major-general 
Hancock arrived upon the field and took command, and 
in conjunction with Genera,! Howard proceed to post the 
troops on Cemetery ridge, and to repel the attack that 
the enemy made on our right flank. This attack was 
not, however, very vigorous; the enemy, seeing the 
strength of the position occupied, seemed to be satisfied 
with the success he had accomplished, desisting from any 
further attack that day. 

About seven o'clock, P. M., Major-generals Slocum 
and Sickles, with the Twelfth Corps and part of the 
Third, reached the ground, and took position on the right 
and left of the troops previously posted. At one o'clock 
the next morning. General Meade arrived and assumed 
command. 

Early on the morning of the 2d, the Second and part 
of the Fifth Corps, with the rest of the Third arrived, 
and were posted as follows : the Eleventh Corps retain- 
ing its position on Cemetery ridge, just opposite to the 
town ; the First Corps was posted on the right, the 
Eleventh on an elevated knoll, connecting with the ridge 
and extending to the south and east, on which the 
Twelfth Corps was placed, the right of the Twelfth 
Corps resting on Rock creek, a small stream at a point 
where it crossed the Baltimore pike, and which formed 
on the right flank of the Twelfth something of an 
obstacle. 

Cemetery ridge extended in a westerly and southerly 
direction, gradually diminishing in elevation, till it came 
to a very prominent ridge, called "Round Top," running 
east and west. The Second and Third Corps occupied 
the continuation of Cemetery ridge, on the left of the 
Eleventh Corps und Fifth Corps; and pending their 
arrival the Sixth Corps was held in reserve. While 
these dispositions wore being made, the enemy was mass- 



THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURa 267 

ing liis troops on an extreme ridge, about one niile and 
a half distant from the line occupied by us. 

At two o'clock, the Sixth Corps arrived, after a march 
of thirty -two miles, which was accomplished from nine 
P. M., of the day previous. The Fifth Corps was imme- 
diately moved to the extreme left, and the Sixth taking 
its place as a reserve for the right. 

About three, General Sickles, not fully apprehending 
his instructions in regard to the position to be occupied, 
advanced his corps a half or three-quarters of a mile in 
the front of the line of the Second Corps on a prolonga- 
tion which it was designed his corps should rest. Gene- 
ral Meade, perceiving the movement, hastened to the 
spot, and was about arranging for the withdrawal of the 
corps, from its too far advanced position, when the 
enemy opened upon them with several batteries in front 
and flank, and immediately brought forward columns of 
infantry, and made a vigorous assault. The Third 
Corps sustained the shock most heroically, and troops 
from the Second Corps were immediately sent to cover 
their right flank, and soon after the assault commenced. 

The Fifth Corps most fortunately arrived, and the 
First and Second divisions were immediately posted on 
the left of the Third by Major-general Sykes. Soon the 
cannonading became general along our left and centre, 
answered by the guns of the enemy, of which more than 
one hundred were placed in circuit on the Seminary 
Kidge and on the hill east of the town. Our troops went 
forward in gallant style and engaged the enemy in a 
most terrific struggle at Sherby's peach orchard and the 
adjoining grounds near the Emmetsburg road. Both 
parties fought with desperation, but at last our men over- 
powered began to give way. Eallied by their officers, 
they arrested and hurled back the advancing column 
for a short time ; but finding themselves hard pressed 
by an overwhelming mass of the enemy, they gave way 
a second time. This was the most critical moment of 
the daj^ The point aimed at by the enemy was to break 



268 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

our left and flank us, and tliis tliey would liave accom- 
plished, if succor had not speedily arrived. 

At this movement, about half-past five o'clock, the 
Pennsylvania Eeserves, which until then had been held 
in reserve, were brought forward and formed by brigades 
in columns of regiments, on the brow of "Little Eound 
Pop," upon which y/as posted one of their batteries. 
Before them, from the. base of the rugged height, 
stretched a broad meadow, skirted on its outer edge by 
heavy timber, from which emerged the victorious 
enemy, driving before them the scattered regiments of 
the First and Second divisions of the Fifth Corps and the 
Third. Most gallantly did the brave fellows dispute the 
ground, but the overpowering masses of the enemy swept 
victoriously on, and their wild shout of triumph rang 
through the valley. Our battery to the right belched 
forth its sheets of flame and smoke, hurling its missiles 
of death over the. heads of the flying mass into the 
enemy. Immovable and firm stood the Eeserves; rest- 
ing on their arms, silently gazing on the magnificent 
and grand sight, until our broken masses had passed to 
the right, and the enemy had advanced within fifty paces, 
when the gallant Crawford, seizing the standard of the 
First, whose bearer had been shot down, waved it aloft 
and cried out, " Forward, Eeserves." With a simulta- 
neous shriek from every throat, that sounded as if coming 
from a thousand demons, who had burst their lungs in 
uttering it, on swept the Eeserves, delivering, as they 
started, a solid volley, and careering victoriously over 
the field, halted not a moment until they reached the 
stone wall, bordering on the skirting of woods, where 
the surprised enemy made their last desperate rally to 
retrieve the day. Not a moment was lost. On went the 
glorious flags to the wall, standard bearer after bearer 
was shot down, but with empty muskets the column 
pressed on, and leaping' over, bayonetted and scattered 
in flight the proud foe, from whose brows they wrenched 
the kiurels of victory. 



THE BATTLE OF GETTTSBUF.G. 269 

One loud slioiit of triumph rang througli the valley 
and over the hills, and it was with the utmost difficulty 
the men could be restrained from following the enem}' 
further. But prudence forbade it, and our regiment was 
ordered to halt and fall back to the wall by Captain 
Smith. 

After the excitement and heat of battle is over, every 
one is suddenly taken with thirst, and to get water is 
the^ first care of the soldier. Down the centre of the 
meadow we crossed, run a small creek — Plum run — and 
to it the thirsty ones repaired, to fill their canteens. It 
was found almost choked with the dead and wounded, 
who had fallen in, whilie attempting to cross. It was the 
only place from which we could get water. After this 
vre set to work gathering our wounded and those of 
other reo'iments v/ho had been driven from the field, and 
who lay thick in every direction. This work occupied 
many of us the most of the night, but it was light labor 
to relieve the sufferings of our comrades. Nor were the 
enemy's wounded neglected, they being treated with the 
same kindness and care that our own received, as every 
old soldier holds that after the battle is over there are 
no enemies upon the field. 

The Third brigade of the Keserves being posted to 
our left on '^ Eound Top," and that position and flank 
being threatened by the enemy, they had not the oppor- 
tunity of participating in the charge, with the exception 
of the Eleventh regiment Colonel Jackson, who being 
next to us, could not resist the temptation and went in. 
"We won the Eleventh fairly that day, and soon after at 
the solicitation of its officers it was wedded to our brigade. 

That night a heavy line of pickets were thrown out in 
front, under Lieutenant McLean, ammunition was distri- 
buted, and the boys stretched their weary limbs to rest, 
and slept, regardless of the skirmishing of the pickets 
which was kept up off* and on all night. But the balls 
whizzed harmlessly over head, and the noise disturbed 
not their slumbers. 



270 OUR CAMPAIGN'S 

During the assault on tlie left, the Sixtli Corps and 
part of the First, together with detachments from the 
Second and Twelfth Corps, were all brought up at 
different periods to assist in the repulse, and about eight 
P. M., an assault was made on the Eleventh Corps from 
the left of the town, which was repulsed by the assistance 
of troops from the Second and First Corps. 

During the absence of a portion of the Twelfth, the 
line on the extreme right was held by a very maich 
reduced force. This was taken advantage of by the 
enemy, who, during the absence of General Geary's 
division of that corps, advanced, and occupied part of 
the line. The musketry fighting here continued from 
seven until half-past nine o'clock. 

General Geary having returned during the night, and 
being reinforced by a portion of the Sixth Corps, at 
dawn of day on the third, opened upon the enemy with 
artillery at the point where they had penetrated our 
lines the evening previous. This was followed by a 
general infantry attack, and soon the battle raged 
furiously, and was maintained with desperate obstinacy 
on both sides from half-past four to half-past ten, A. M., 
when the enemy were driven back with great slaughter 
and our former position re-occupied. 

At daybreak on the 3d, the enemy's line of skirmishers 
in our brigade front being reinforced, they opened with 
great spirit, the noise of the musketry almost resembling 
that of a regular battle. Our own line was promptly rein- 
forced by volunteers who freely responded to them, but 
soon after the fire on both sides slackened and settled 
down to the common-place picket fighting. This work 
was kept up until aboat five P. M., during which time 
we were much annoyed by the sharpshooters posted in the 
trees, and a number of men of the other regiments were 
killed and wounded by them. This kind of fighting gave 
excellent opportunities for the display of individual 
bravery and address, and the mnnaaivring of the boys 
to iset irood sliots at timjs cre.it jd coiisidorablc amuse- 



THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBQKG. 271 

ment. When some enterprising "Confecl." was well 
posted and annoyed us much two or three would arrange 
their plans to knock him over, and creeping up cautiously 
from different directions, one of the men would draw his 
fire, while another on his flank would shoot him. One 
scamp got up a tree and succeeded in killing several men, 
when his locality was discovered; two of the boys 
started after him, and got under the tree before he saw 
them. lie immediately cried out he would come down, 
to which they replied, they knew that very well, and 
they rattled him through the branches a few moments 
afterward. Another individual whom they afterwards 
discovered doing an extensive business in the same style, 
they left hanging in the crotches of a tree with his head 
and feet towards the ground. The boys never showed 
any mercy to these ''tree frogs." 

Thus the day wore on until one P. M., when the enemy 
opened upon our lines with over one hundred and thirty 
guns, playing principally upon our left and centre. This 
fire was immediately responded to on our side, and for 
over two hours the most terrific cannonading probably 
ever witnessed on this continent v^as kept up. The guns 
poured forth their missiles of death that vv^ent whizzing, 
screaming and bursting through the air, until the earth 
fairly trembled, and it seemed as if the very vault of 
heaven had been rent asunder. 

About half-past three o'clock, the enemy in two long 
and massive lines was seen emerging from the v^oods of 
Seminary ridge to the south of McMillan's orchard, and 
moving over the plains towards the left centre. When 
they had reached one-third of the distance between the 
two opposing lines, our artillery opened upon them with 
shell and grape, staggering them for a few moments, 
when, with a terrific yell, they rushed to the charge. 
Our men quietly awaited until they had approached 
Avithin short range when they opened upon them a deadly 
fire of mu-sketry that mowed them down like grass. 
After a desperate struggle, the enemy were driven hu\:k 



272 , OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

with great slaugliter, losing three thousand five hundred 
prisoiiers, and fifteen stands of colors. During this 
assault Major-general Hancock commanding the left 
centre, and Brigadier-general Gibbon commanding the 
Second Corps, were severely wounded, and of the enemy 
Generals Kemper was severely wounded, Armistead mor- 
tally, and Garnett was killed. 

During the afternoon, the enemy had been annoying the 
Third brigade of Reserves, who held "Round Top," and 
attempted to turn the left flank, and heavy skirmishing 
was kept up between them. Our own front had been 
greatly annoyed by the enemy's sharpshooters and a bat- 
tery posted about one thousand yards distant on the 
crest of a gentle elevation. To get rid of these, General 
Crawford ordered Colonel McCandless to " capture the 
battery and clean the enemy out," with his brigade, for 
which purpose the " Bucktails," the First, the Second, 
and the Eleventh were advanced in line of battle over 
the stone wall, and through the skirting of v/oods to a 
wheat field, where they drew the fire of the battery, upon 
which they were laid down until it ceased, when they 
were again put in motion to the left and then to the 
right, thus displaying themselves and drawing the fire, 
until the Sixth, under Colonel Ent, had crept up close 
to the battery, which they stormed with great gallantry, 
and through a shower of grape and canister captured 
one gun and two caissons. 

When the Sixth had become fairly engaged. Colonel 
McCandless marched the balance of his brigade by the 
right flank, and filing left formed in line of battle in a 
woods at right angles with the stone wall, and deploying 
skirmishers to the frout, right and left, charged on double 
quick over the field for half a mile, receiving the enemy's 
fire from the woods on three sides. Half wheeling to 
the right and pouring a few volleys into the woods, they 
charged through them up to tlie crest, driving every 
thing before them. Ilere, halting for a few moments, 
they about faced, wheeled the lin«j a little to the right. 



THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBUEG. 273 

and charged througli the woods in their rear, running 
like hounds, and yelping like devils down through the 
meadow and up over the steep acclivity on the opposite 
side, surprising the enemy and taking them on the flank, 
and doubling them up and driving regiments and 
brigades pell-mell before them in utter confusion. The 
gallant efforts of their officers to rally them were use- 
less, we had them fairly on the run, and did not cease 
following them until we had penetrated far into their 
lines. 

The trophies of this brilliant raid into their line of 
battle, besides those captured by the Sixth, were six 
thousand stand of arms, the flag of the Fifteenth Georgia, 
and three hundred prisoners, including a colonel and 
many line officers. The ground was strewn with their 
dead and wounded, and the remainder of their division 
was scattered in flight. Night was now fast approaching, 
we were nearly two miles from our starting point, and 
we had entered the open ground, where the smallness of 
our force could be discovered. Prudence demanded we 
should withdraw, and therefore McCandless with his 
brigade retraced his steps for some distance ; when halt- 
ing, we encircled ourselves with pickets, and slept upon 
our arms. 

Such was the surprise of the enemy at our last charge, 
that their prisoners told us, that at the time we attacked 
them, they supposed we were nearly a mile off. Even 
their butchers were killed while engaged in skinning 
beeves, and a fatigue party who were burying their dead 
was captured. A prisoner was asked what regiment he 
belonged to, and replied, the Nineteenth Georgia. " Why, 
we captured you at Fredericksburg." "Are you the 
Second Pennsylvania Reserves ? d — n you, you always 
give us h — 11 when you meet us." 

With this may be said to have ended the battle of 
Gettysburg, and it was looked upon as one of the most 
brilliant exploits of the field. Colonel McCandless dis- 
played cool courage and military genius of the highest 

18 



274 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

order, handling bis brigade in most splendid style and 
withdrawing it at the right time. The conception of the 
idea of making a raid directly ioto the enemy s line o± 
battle of throwing out skirmishers m the front and on 
both flanks, of charging the enemy on the right and lelt 
front and rear by turns, in fact being outflanked and 
havino- our rear turned at the same time, was bold and 
dashing, and showed the full confidence of the leader m 

himself and men. . -, n ^-u 

Generals Meade, Sykes, and Crawford and many other 
ofacers from "Eound Top," saw the brigade start and 
watched it as long as in sight. With the dm and lull 
of battle their hopes arose and fell, and when they tound 
it receded far from them, though knowing we were driving 
the enemy, they feared the ultimate result, and sent sup- 
port, which met us on our way back, and received us 
with hearty cheers. When an aid announced to them 
the complete success of the raid, they shook hands and 
congratulated each other, manifesting the liveliest satis- 
faction. ^ _ , 

As soon as we halted for the night, stretchers and am- 
bulances were sent to gather up our wounded who had 
laid upon the field from the day before, and who had 
suffered the pangs of many deaths. All night long and 
until noon the next day, were we thus engaged m the 
willing but painful work. The poor fellows had suffej-ed 
terribly for water, and had been robbed of all their 
money and valuables, and some of them of their cloth- 
ino- Large details were also made to collect the arms 
and before morning over six thousand rifles and muskets 
were gathered and taken to the rear. 

Ammunition was procured and distributed to the men 
durincr the night, and at two o'clock on the morning ol 
the '' glorious' Fourth," our regiment and the Sixth were 
moved to a more advanced post as pickets, and soon after 
daylight the enemy discovering us, their pickets opened 
upon us, which we returned with much spirit. About 
nine o'clock the Regulars, who composed the second 



THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 275 

division of our corps, advanced a splendid line of skir- 
mishers, supported by two lines of battle, driving- in the 
enemy s pickets and fully drawing their fire, when the 
object for which they advanced, viz.: to ascertain the 
position strength and composition of the enenly, beino- 
obtained they withdrew to the rear again. Wlien thev 

drwT ' T \°^' °?'°"'^ ^"*ly ^P°° *l>e enemy, to 
diaw their fire from the skirmishers, and some of them 

Cr? /"f t Tr°'- 1 ^P°° '^''' ^«^'""S' tl>e enemy 
tloLv '"'' 'T^ *^° 'i^'^'^y advanced their 

piclvet line again, and settled down to exchangino- an 
occasional shot m the usual quiet manner. WhOe her- 
three thousand rounds of ammunition were distributed 
du w"!T- ^°"' °''*' ^- ^•' ^« ^^'^ r«"«^ed, and 
sto . i.ll f''^ 'T ""^^f '° °" °^d position at the 
fctone wall, having been under an almost constant fire for 
lorty-three hours. 

rJr'''' '"5 r^ ''•^"^® '^''^ *^« I^eserve show more 
field fnr«1lf?f!?°!^ \'^'"''y '^^-^ *«y did upon this 
bomU O f\'^^^ *'y ''''^'' defending their own 
homes. One whole company of the First regiment were 
raised m Gettysburg, and some of the men fought on 
their own farms. All the field and staff' officers°deter 
mined to go m mounted, and did so as far as their horses 
could go. General Crawford and his staff. Colonel Mc- 
Cmtif !,l''"^- f ^s^lstant Inspector-general, Captain 

cokneiw fPT^'"l'""P^'^ ^'^^^'y- Lieutenant 
colonel Woodward who from his wounds walked with 
d ificultyin the early part of the action, received a con- 
tusionofthe ankle, and was unable to accompany us 

wl^ charges, but remained upon the field. 

I he loss of our regiment, and in fact, of the brigade 
was remarkably small which is attributed to the impetu- 
osity of our charges, which gave the enemy but little 
chance to mflict damage upon us. The proportion of 
killed was very small, though among the wounded the 
mortality was subsequently very heavy.* 



* See Appendix A. 



276 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Our regiment went into battle with one hundred and 
forty-seven men and its loss was heavier than any other 
redment in the brigade. 

The enemy numbered ninety thousand men and two 
hundred pieces of cannon, we had sixty thousand men 
and about an equal number of guns. Our total loss was 
four thousand killed, twelve thousand wounded, and tour 
thousand prisoners, in all about twenty thousand ; whilst 
the enemy's loss was five thousand five hundred killed, 
twenty-one thousand wounded, nine thousand prisoners, 
and four thousand stragglers and deserters, making a 
total of about forty thousand. 

About one o'clock in the afternoon the Eeguiars 
relieved us at the stone-wall and we were moved back 
to 'kittle Round Top." where we received rations and 
remained until the afternoon of the next day, during 
which time it rained severely. 



CHAPTER XXIY. 



Fall OF Reynolds. The Boy's Sword. March. Undying Loye^ 
Falling Waders. Lee crosses the Potomac. Wapping 
HmGHTS. Manassas Gap. Anecdote. Marching in a Circle. 

Before leaving the field of Gettysburg let us refer to 
Maior-general John F. Reynolds, in the death of whom, a 
most skillful ofiicer, brave soldier, high-minded and honor 
able man, and courteous gentleman, the army and country 
sustained a great loss, but nowhere was it more smcerely 
felt than in the First brigade of the Reserves whom he had 
moulded in their infancy and led to honor and glory on 
many fields. It will be remembered, at Harrisons Land- 
ino- the men of this brigade determined to present the 
General with a handsome testimonial of their^ T^^^ard, 
which on account of the active service m which they 



THE boy's swokd. 277 

were soon after engaged, was not procured until a short 
time before we left Fairfax Station, and no opportunity 
being afforded to present it, it was taken into Pennsyl- 
vania with the intention of presenting it to him on the 
battle-field, but, alas ! when they arrived within hearing 
of his guns, he had passed to immortality. 

In this gift the men felt great pride, as it was known 
that the general had refused to receive similar ones 
when tendered by officers, but he could not refuse this, 
prompted as it was by the pure and disinterested feel- 
ings of the men's hearts. And it was such a one as any 
general would have been proud of. It consisted of a 
costly sword of most exquisite workmanship, and was 
accompanied by a sash, and belt embroidered with 
heavy bullion. The blade of the sword was of the 
finest Damascus steel, and the scabbard of pure gold, 
having inscribed upon it on a scroll : 

" Presented to Major-general John F. Keynolds, by the 
enlisted men of the First, Second, Fifth and Eighth regi- 
ments of the First brigade of Pennsylvania Eeserves, in 
testimony of their love and admiration. Mechanics ville, 
June 26th, 1862." 

Upon the grip was a black onyx, in the centre of 
which was set in diamonds the initials J. F. R., sur- 
rounded by a wreath of precious brilliants. On the 
reverse, in a handsome scroll was inscribed — " Vincit 
Amor Patrise^ Crowning the grip was a solid globe of 
gold, chased with the map of the world, around which 
was the belt of the Union in blue enamel, with thirteen 
diamond stars, while entwined around the guard was an 
exquisitely-shaped serpent, with its venomous tongue 
protruding as if to steal one of the stars from the galaxy. 
The shield of the hilt was formed of the coat of arms of 
the State of Pennsylvania, cut from a solid plate of 
gold. Beneath this, on the scabbard, was a fine figure 
of the Goddess of Liberty modeled from the statue sur- 
mounting the Federal Capitol. In style and workman- 
ship it was exquisitely gotten up, every touch upon it 



278 OUR CAMPAIGN-S. 

being given by hand^ it resembling a fine piece of jew- 
elry.* 

Subsequently, W. H. Grier, a brave and gallant ser- 
geant of the Fifth was chosen to proceed to Philadelphia 
and presented it to the general's sister, Mrs. Henry Landis. 

On the morning of the 5th, it being ascertained that 
the enemy was in full retreat by the Fairfield and Cash- 
town roads, the Sixth corps was sent in pursuit on the 
Fairfield road, and the cavalry on the Cashtown road, 
by Emmetsburg and Monterey passes. As these passes 
were reported by Major-general Sedgwick as being 
very, strong, General Meade determined to follow the 
enemy by a fiank movement, and accordingly leaving a 
brigade of cavalry and infantry to harass the enemy, he 
put the army in motion for Middletown, Maryland. 

Major-general French, in anticipation of orders, moved 
from Frederick and reoccupied Harpe*r's Ferry and seized 
Turner's Pass, in the South Mountains. He also pushed 
his cavalry to Williamsport and Falling Waters, where 
he destroyed the enemy's pontoon bridge and captured 
its guard. 

At five o'clock in the afternoon of the 6th, we moved 
off in a southwesterly direction over exceedingly bad 
roads, and at twelve o'clock at night bivouacked in an 
open field and threw out pickets. The next morning, about 
eleven o'clock, we marched to the State line, where a con- 
gratulatory address from General Meade was read tons and 
we bivouacked for the remainder of the day and night. 

At four the next morning we moved off, passing near 
Emmetsburg and continuing along the base of the South 
Mountains, marching on the fields skirting the pike 
and passing through Graceham and Creegarstown, and 
bivouacked about dark, six miles from Frederick, 
having marched tweuty-one miles over very heavy roads. 

* The designs in many respects were entirely new and originnl, 
and the sword has been pronounced one of the most chaste nind 
beantvt'ul ever made in this country. It was manufactured by Mr. 
E. Kretzmar. 



UNDYING LOVE. 279 

The Catliolic Convent at Emmetsburg since we passed 
there, has received a bright gem into its cloisters, the 
melancholy story of which is peculiarly interesting to 
the Reserves. A young lady, possessed of all the charms 
and attributes of womanly graces, won the heart of one 
of the Reserves' ablest generals. Her love was too pure 
and holy to look to this world alone for bliss, and 
although their hearts and hands were plighted, she post- 
poned the happy hour that was to make them one, while 
she plead with him with all her earnestness to come into 
the folds of her church. The general, though one of the 
most upright and moral of men, could not be induced to 
leave the faith he had been reared in, and thus while 
their hearts were trembling between love and piety, and 
love and manly virtue, the hero sealed his devotion to 
his country by pouring out his heart's blood to hold ihe 
ground until the Army of the Potomac could concentrate 
at Gettysburg. And how fitting the sequel ! Bowed 
down with the loss of her brave and gallant hero, she 
consecrated her fortune to charity and her life to her 
God. 

At six o'clock on the morning of the 8th we marched, 
heading nearly west, and passing over fields soon struck 
the Catoctin Mountains, up the rugged sides of which we 
clambered through a heavy rain that had been falling 
all night. Arriving at the summit we commenced the 
descent along a narrow and rough road, and soon had a 
fine view of the magnificent valley, in which Middle- 
town is situated, and a large number of troops were lay- 
ing. Passing through Middletown, which was filled with 
moving columns of troops and wagons, we turned to the 
left and bivouacked about a mile to the south. During 
the night rations were served out to the companies. 

The next morning we marched at six, and crossed the 
South Mountains at a point where the left wing of 
our army had gained a glorious victory on the 14th of 
September last. Descending the western slope we 
bivouacked about two nilleri from Keedysville, within 



280 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

sight of Antietam's glorious field. Througli the day we 
Jieard heavy firing in the direction of Williamsport. A 
full supply of shoes and stockings, which were much 
needed were received and distributed during the night. 

The next morning we commenced our march at six 
o'clock, and soon afterwards heard heavy cannonading. 
Passing near Keedysville and La Roy, we struck Antie- 
tam creek, passing by Delamont Mills, where the enemy 
had been in the morning, and some of their officers had 
ordered dinner, which they did not remain to «at. Just 
beyond here we halted and threw out cavalry and infan- 
try skirmishers, who occasionally exchanged shots with 
the enemy for over two hours. 

On the morning of the 11th we moved forward cau- 
tiously to near the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown turn- 
pike, where we deployed in line of battle, and rested 
until four in the afternoon, at which time the division 
moved forward in columns of companies with the regi- 
ments at deploying distance, with a heavy body of 
skirmishers in front, and the pioneers to tear down the 
fences. Having advanced about two miles, the division 
halted, and our regiment and five companies of the Fifth, 
under Colonel Woodward, were sent out on picket. We 
found the Second Corps pickets engaged with the enemy 
on the pike for the possession of a piece of woods, and 
did not succeed in niaking our connection with their 
line until after dark, when we occupied the inner edge 
of the woods in dispute. The Second Corps fell back 
and changed their line twice through the night, and we 
had to aher ours to correspond with theirs. 

The next morning, Sunday, we advanced our line, 
occupying the woods in dispute without opposition, 
crossed the pike and posted our line on the elevated 
ground beyond, sending Companies C and H, Captains 
Byrnes and Mealey, to occupy a piece of heavy timber 
further in advance and to the left within close proximity 
to the enemy's picket pits. Soon after, heavy artillery 
and musketry firing was heard on our right, and about 



FALLING WATEES. 281 

four o'clock orders were received to witMraw our line 
a Dout half a mile to the left. Here we formed the divi- 
sion, and soon afterwards were ordered to throw out our 
line as skirmishers, beyond the pike fronting the woods. 
Some sharp firing took place but without occasioning 
any loss on our side. 

The division moved back about dark to their former 
position, and at nine o'clock that night we were relieved 
and joined them. 

July the 13th was a rainy and disagreeable day, and 
we did not move until nearly three o'clock in the after- 
noon, when we were formed and marched to a long line 
of rifle-pits that the division had thrown up, and soon 
after to a field in front, where we laid all night. 

That night orders were received to march early with 
the greatest secrecy, but when the morning came there 
was no occasion for this as the enemy had evacuated 
their position through the night. As we advanced we 
found three long lines of most formidable rifle-pits 
advantageously posted which the enemy had abandoned 
leaving many of their tools behind them. We also found 
a number of arms, and many prisoners were brought in, 
who proved to be the dirtiest set of mortals we had yet 
seen. During the march the "Bucktails" were posted 
on the right, and we on the left as flankers, and at ten 
A. M., we arrived within sight of Williamsport on the 
upper Potomac. At noon we re-commenced our march 
and proceeded to Falling Waters, where we arrived too 
late to participate in the brush with the enemy. Here 
our cavalry overtook the rear guard and captured two 
guns, three flags and a number of prisoners, and killed 
(jeneral Pettigrew. Lee's army crossed the night before 
on a trestle and boat bridge. We remained in position 
until about four o'clock, when we moved to a clover field 
and bivouacked. 

The question has frequently been asked why did 
Meade permit Lee to escape ? It must be remembered 
that our army was much fatigued by their late hard 



282 ^ OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

fighting and marching, and was seriously reduced in 
number. That upon the arrival of Lee upon the banks 
of the Potomac, he immediately commenced the erection 
of breastworks, and tjiat the greatest difficulty General 
Meade experienced, was the impossibility of reconnoit- 
ring the enemy's position on account of the character of 
the country. A council of war was called and the five 
coi'ps commanders present, decided against an attack, 
and it showed a proper prudence on the part of General 
Meade not to order a blind attack when ignorant of all 
essential matters, having therefore, no clear view that 
success was probable against a splendidly posted, des- 
perate and powerful enemy. Had an attack been made 
on the 13th, Lee's whole army would have been found 
behind their works, as not a man left his lines until after 
dark that night. A defeat would have lost all the benefit 
of the past victory, and placed the North and Washington 
again at the command of Lee and his army. 
• The next morning, the 15th, at four o'clock we com- 
menced our march, nearly retracing our steps, passing 
near Delamont and down the Hagerstown and Sharps- 
burg pike to the Keed3^sville road, and halted to make 
coffee about noon on the site of the " Smoketown Hos- 
pital." Near by was the burial ground with a handsome 
wooden monument about twelve feet high erected in the 
centre, by the convalescents. We were now on the battle- 
field of Antietam, whose rolling fields were, covered 
with luxuriant grain ready for the harvest, and the deep 
forest was clothed with new foliage that sighed above 
the graves alike of friend and foe, peacefully slumbering 
together awaiting the last reveille. Moving on, we crossed 
the Antietam, passing through Keedysville, and over 
South Mountains by the same road we came, and en- 
camped near its eastern base. The day was very warm, 
and the march was over a rough and hilly country, in 
many places with the roads very muddy, imd the distance 
made being twenty-three miles, the men were much 
worn out. 



OUE ADOPTED STATE. 283 

We moved the next morning about five, skirting along 
the eastern base of South Mountains through Berketts- 
ville and Petersville, and halted about two miles from 
Berlin and encamped in a fine woods about eleven A. M. 
The next daj our wagons came up and the officers got a 
change of clothing, the first they had since we left Fair- 
fax Station. 

It rained heavily all night and through the day of the 
17th, until four in the afternoon, when we moved off 
towards the Potomac, which we crossed on a pontoon 
bridge at Berlin and trod once more the soil of our 
adopted State. Moving on to Lovettsville, three miles 
beyond, we bivouacked in the rear of it, being the first 
infantry that had crossed. The inhabitants of this section 
are almost all loyal to the Union. 

The next day our regiment was detailed as guard to 
the corps' wagon train, and starting at eleven, reached 
Wheatland at three P. M. 

On the 19th, we marched at six o'clock in the morn- 
ing and passing through Purcellville, bivouacked in a 
woods at ten A. M. We passed on the route a number 
of prisoners belonging to White's cavalry, captured by 
Kilpatrick's. Our movements were now rather cautious, 
as we had a large train, and the enemy's cavalry were in 
the neighborhood. 

The next morning we sounded reveille at two, and 
moved at four o'clock, almost over 'the same ground we 
did last year under McClellan, passing by Philomont and 
our old camps, near Uniontown, and encamped about 
noon on Goose creek, in a woods on a hill side. Our 
route laid through a finely watered and picturesque 
country with fine farms and houses ; one of the hand- 
somest of which was that of Mr. Delaney's, a wealthy 
Englishman, who owned two thousand acres of land in 
detached parcels, but so thoroughly had been the destruc- 
tion of the roads and landmarks, that he stated, he could 
not trace the lines of any of his property, excepting the 
tract upon which his house is situated. Surveyors will 
reap a rich harvest in Virginia when the war is over. 



284 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

The next day was spent in camp, the boys occupying 
their time in writing home, bathing, and washing clothes. 
In a long stone wall in the meadow in front of us, some 
copperheads were discovered, and soon nearly half of the 
division was at work with sticks and clubs hunting 
them, and in an incredibly short time the walj was 
leveled with the ground. 

At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 22d, we marched 
ofiP over the fields and along by roads to Eectortown and 
encamped near the Manassas Gap Kailroad in a heavy 
woods. The next morning we formed a field hospital in 
a fine woods, and left all our wounded and sick in charge 
of a suitable number of surgeons and a guard, with pro • 
visions, medicines, etc. Among those left was Acting 
Sergeant-major H. C. Hostetter, who died and was buried 
there. He was a good soldier, an exemplary young man, 
and his death was regretted by all. 

The next day we marched early keeping along the 
general course of the railroad, passing through Markham, 
Petersville, and Linden. Last fall the enemy tore up the 
rails of this road and heating them on piles of burning 
ties, bent and destroyed them. About three o'clock we 
reached the eastern base of the Gap, and soon after skir- 
mishiag commenced on Wapping Heights, which lasted 
until near dark, when the enemy were driven back with 
loss. Soon after we moved on past Wapping, which 
consisted of a defunct tavern, an empty store, and several 
shanties, and encamped about half a mile beyond. That 
day we marched twenty -five miles. 

Being in the presence of the enemy, no " calls" were 
sounded. The next morning at seven o'clock we marched 
up the railroad, and moving to the right formed in 
columns of division and moved in by the right flank, 
and advanced up the sides of a steep mountain, covered 
with a heavy growth of timber and underbrush. So 
steep was it that the field officers found it impossible to 
descend the western slope on horseback. Having 
reached its base, the ascent of a still steeper and higher 



WAPPING HEIGHTS. 285 

mountain was commenced, which required great exer- 
tion to accomplish, and by the time the command had 
crossed, the men were completely fagged out. The day 
was excessively hot, several men were sun struck, one 
broke his neck, and another was accidentally shot 
through the head by a comrade. A small force of the 
enemy could have held us at bay, and probably repulsed 
our brigade, as by the nature of the obstacle, the compa- 
nies and regiments became mixed up together. A line 
of skirmishers properly supported would have been more 
effective. Upon arriving at the western base, the men 
were collected and reformed in a little valley, and after 
a half hour's rest, we marched back to our old bivouac. 
Soon after we moved two miles back and encamped, 
where we had fresh beef served out to us. 

The Third brigade, which moved on the left of the 
railroad, captured several prisoners. 

Through the day we learned that General French had 
captured eleven hundred head of cattle, a number of 
wagons, and about three hundred and fifty prisoners^ 
From a high mountain back of where we laid, we had a 
magnificent view of the valley of the Shenandoah, the 
scenery of which equalled any we have ever seen. A 
large column of the enemy's cavalry or wagons were seen 
in rapid motion up the valley, as the sudden appearance 
of our army at the Gap made them fearful lest a portion 
of their army should be cut off. They effected their 
withdrawal by way of Strasburg, and retired to the 
Eapidan. 

On the 25th, we sounded reveille at three, and moved 
at six o'clock, retracing our steps for some miles and 
then turning to the right, followed along the foot hills 
of the Blue Mountains, and halting about three in the, 
afternoon, on an open field, where we bivouacked. We 
had been short of provisions for several days, the men 
living mostly on blackberries, which grew in luxuriance 
in this section, care being taken to halt us wherever a 
large patch was found. On our route we passed the 



286 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

house of Mr. James Marshall, which had been ransacked 
by stragglers. Mr. Marshall was a violent secessionist, 
and upon the approach of our troops fled with his family 
to Eichmond. Occupied houses are seldom if ever 
touched by the men, but when one is found deserted, 
they generally take what they want. 

The next morning we marched at five o'clock, passing 
a large number of prisoners near Orleans, who appeared 
in an exceedingly good humor. At noon we halted in 
a clover field about two miles from Warrenton, having 
made thirteen miles with a halt of but fifteen minutes. 

While we laid here General Crawford was saluted 
with the cry of " crackers" from his hungry boys, which 
annoyed him so much that he went to General Meade 
and demanded rations. " Why, my dear General," replied 
the commander, "you should not let that annoy you." 
" One night at White Plains where I marched the boys 
a couple of miles out of the road they actually called 
me a 'four-eyed son of a b — h,' and upon my soul I could 
not get mad at them."* 

On the march, Dr. E. O. Jackson one of our Assistant 
Surgeons was taken sick and sent from Warrenton to 
Washington where he died. He was a young gentleman 
of high professional talents and fine social qualities, and 
his death caused much regret. 

Here Captaip John M. Clark, Lieutenant Andrew 
McLean, Sergeant John McDonough, Sergeant Dennis 
O'Brien, Corporal Jeremiah Dooling, Corporal Thomas 
M. Fisher, were detailed to go to Pennsylvania after 
drafted men to fill our regiment, none of which they got. 

At four in the afternoon we got into motion and 
marched six miles, passing to the west of Warrenton, 
^nd encamping in a low open field, where we were 
annoyed for the first time during the war by mosquitoes. 

•The next morning we sounded no reveille, but woke 



* The General wore spectacles. 



MARCHING IN A CIRCLE. 287 

the men up early and marched at five o'clock towards 
Fajetteville, near which we halted at eight in the morn- 
ing, for the night and day. 

On the 28th, on account of the scarcity of water, we 
moved about a mile to a new position, where we laid 
until the 1st of August, spending one day of our time 
on picket. ^ While here Lieutenant John Taylor com- 
manding Company E, was appointed an aid on Colonel 
McCandless' staff. 

On the 1st, we marched at five in the afternoon two 
miles towards Warrenton and bivouacked. There was 
through the afternoon, considerable cannonading heard 
towards the Warrenton Sulphur Springs, occasioned by 
our cavalry and light artillery skirmishing. 

On the 3d, we moved at eight A. M., about three 
miles to our old bivouac of the 26th ult. The weather 
'was so oppressively hot that in this short distance many 
men gave out and several were sunstruck. We remained 
there until dark, when we marched to our old bivouac 
of the 28th, where we laid two hours, when we agam 
got under way and marched by a circuitous route eight 
miles and bivouacked at two the next morning within 
two miles of our last starting point, on our old camp 
ground of November last, under Burn side. 

On the 4th, we moved camp about one mile. In the 
afternoon, daring a heavy thunder storm, our own and 
the enemy's cavalry, supported with light artillery, met 
accidentally south of the Eappahannock, and had a heavy 
skirmish in which our men drove them and took a 
number of prisoners. The day before they had an 
encounter at Kelly's Ford with the same result. 

On the 6th, Greneral Gibbon took temporary command 
of our corps, Colonel McCandless of our division and 
Colonel William Cooper Talley of our brigade. Major 
Wiley paid the regiment off, and Lieutenant Craig, Com- 
pany A, rejoined us, having recovered from his wounds 
received at Fredericksburg. 

On the 8th, we marched early, and at noon arrived at 



288 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

EappaLannock Station where we formed a regular en- 
campment. 

During our late marching and countermarching a 
large portion of our troops were sent to the City of New 
York (the left wing of Lee's army), to enforce the draft, 
with which a powerful mob had been permitted by the 
City and State authorities to interfere, and we being in 
the presence of a superior and vigilant foe it was neces- 
sary to deceive him as to our numbers, for which purpose 
we moved continually in a circle of some fifteen miles 
diameter, and the tramp of troops and the moving of 
artillery and wagons was heard night and day. At every 
stopping place orders were issued to lay out our camp 
regularly, dig sinks, and erect bough arbors over our 
tents, but no sooner were they finished than orders to 
march were received. In this manner, the enemy's spies 
and the inhabitants were utterly deceived, and when our* 
army was reduced to probably twenty-five thousand 
men, the Eichmond papers reported us as receiving 
large reinforcements and numbering over eighty thou- 
sand. The men soon understood and appreciated the 
strategy of General Meade. 

This depletion of our army to maintain the authority 
of the Government and to enforce the laws at home, 
paralyzed the movements of General Meade, and virtually 
brought to a close the campaign at a season most favor- 
able to its prosecution, and at a time auspicious of its 
success. 



"A RUSH OF RATS." 289 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Rappahannock Station. The Sword Banquet. Military 
Execution. March to Culpepper Court House. 

In our camp at the Station, wells and sinks were dug. 
bough arbors erected, clothing and an abundance of 
rations issued, our sutler's tent kept well supplied, mail 
facilities afforded, and the " Philadelphia Inquirer," the 
soldier's paper, received the day it was published. The 
usual routine of camp, guard mounting, drills and dress 
parades, were established, and the discipline which is so 
apt to become relaxed during an active campaign was 
re-established. 

While here the boys who were always fond of bathing 
had ample opportunity of enjoying that luxury, but un- 
fortunately one day Samuel Black of Company F was 
drowned. 

Nothing of moment occurred until the middle of the 
month, when late one afternoon, notice was received that 
the enemy was advancing upon us, and orders were 
issaed to be in readiness to fall in prepared for action at 
a moment's notice. A signal gun was fired from corps' 
head- quarters, upon which a large number of troops 
crossed the Rappahannock, but the night passed over 
without any sound of battle. The next morning it was 
ascertained the alarm had been occasioned by an aid 
having " a rush of rats to the head," which caused him 
to mistake our returning scouts for the enemy. 

The officers of the Reserves having determined some 
time previous to present to General Meade a testimonial 
of their esteem and admiration for him, as an officer and 
leader, had procured through their chairman, Colonel 
McCandless, a costly sword of most exquisite workman- 
ship, a sash, belt and a pair of gold spurs to offer for his 
acceptance. On the 28th the presentation took place. 

19 



290 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Invitations were extended to Governor Curtin and a 
number of gentlemen prominent in civil and military 
life, who were present. The banquet was one of the 
most magnificent affairs of the kind ever gotten up in the 
Army of the Potomac. For ten days one hundred men 
had been engaged m decorating the grounds, building 
green arbors, arches and towers of the most exquisite 
taste and artistic style. The day was a most beautiful 
one, and about five in the evening, there gathered upon 
the ground a large assemblage of officers, of our division 
and the army, and among them some of the most dis- 
tinguished heroes of the war, all dressed in full uniform, 
with sash and belt, but without swords. General Meade, 
surrounded by a staff of distinguished personivd mounted 
the stand, and General Crawford, takino^ the sword from 
the case, in a neat and appropriate speech, handed it to 
the general, who stepped forward, amid the most vocife- 
rous cheering, and responded as follows : 

"General Crawford and Officers of the Divi- 
sion OF THE Pennsylvania Reserve Corps: — I accept 
this sword with feelings of profound gratitude. I should 
be insensible to all the promptings of nature if I were not 
grateful and proud at receiving a testimonial of approba- 
tion from a band of ofl&cers and men so distinguished as 
has been the division of the Pennsy vania Reserve Corps, 
during the whole period of this war. I have a right, 
therefore, to be proud that they should think my conduct 
and my course have been of such a character as to justify 
them in collecting together here so many distinguished 
gentlemen, as I see around me, from different parts of 
the country, and our own State, to present to me this 
handsome testimonial. It in effect says to me, that in 
their judgment I have done my duty towards them and 
towards the country. I began my career in this army, 
by commanding the Second Brigade of your division. I 
i'aithfully endeavored, during all the time I held that 
command, and also the command of your division, to 
treat the officers and men in a manner that would ex- 



291 

press to thenix my high appreciation of their conduct as 
soldiers and brave men. 

'' I am very glad, sir, that you have mentioned your 
distinguished guest, the Governor of Pennsylvania. I 
have a personal knowledge of his patriotic efforts in 
behalf of the soldiers. To him the country is indebted 
for putting into the field in its hour of sorest need this 
splendid corps, and I have watched with pleasure and 
satisfaction the solicitude he has always shown, to see 
that all its interests and wants are attended to. I have 
been with him on the occasions when he has visited the 
officers and men from our State, and I know that they 
are indebted to him for many comforts, and that the 
country is indebted to him for words of eloquence which 
he addressed to them to inspire them with increased 
patriotism and courage. I am gratified that he is here 
to witness this presentation, and I heartily join you, sir, 
in the hope that his fellow-citizens will remember, on 
election day, his services in promoting the interests of 
the country and the suppression of the rebellion. 

" In speaking of the pride which I experience in re- 
ceiving this sword, I feel myself justified, even at the 
risk of being charged with egotism, in saying a few 
words about the seryices rendered by this division. I 
say unhesitatingly here before this assembly, and I am 
quite sure that when the history of the war is written, 
that the facts will vindicate me, that no division in this 
glorious army of the Potomac — glorions as I conceive 
it to be — is entitled to claim more credit for its uniform 
gallant conduct, and for the amount of hard fighting it 
has gone through, than the division of the Pennsylvania 
Reserve Corps. I do not wish to take any credit to my- 
self in this. It is not of my own personal service that I 
would speak, but of the services of the soldiers — of the 
privates of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and I have 
only to appeal to Drainesville, where the first success 
that crowned the arms of the Army of the Potomac was 
gained, unaided and alone, by a single brigade of the Penn- 



292 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

sjlvania Reserves. I liave only to refer to Mechanics- 
ville, where the whole of Longstreet's Corps was held in 
check for hours, and victory really won, by only two 
brigades of the Reserves. I refer yon to New Market 
Cross roads, sometimes called Glendale, and refer em- 
phatically to that battle, because certain officers of the 
army, not knowing the true facts of the case, and misled 
at the time by the statement of others equally ignorant 
with themselves, and whose statements have since been 
proved incorrect, brought charges against this division 
on that occasion. I was with the division during the 
whole fight, and until dark, when it pleased God that I 
should be shot down and carried off the field. 

" I have been told that the division ran oft', but I know 
that I stayed with it until it was dark, and my men were 
engaged in a hand-to-hand contest over the batteries with 
the enemy. I do not say that there were not some who 
ran away, but that is nothing singular. There are cow- 
ards in every division; there are bad men in every 
corps. I do say, however, that the large body of the 
gallant men of the Pennsylvania Reserves remained on 
the field until dark, and did not leave it until the enemy 
had retired. Those guns were never captured from 
them. They remained on the field, and were not taken 
until ten o'clock the next day. I refer to South Moun- 
tain, and it is not necessary for me to say much of their 
conduct there, for their gallant ascent of the height in 
the face of the enemy, and turning their left flank, was v/it- 
nessed by the commanding general, and they received full 
credit for it. I speak of Antietam, where, on the 16th of 
September, the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, always in 
the advance, boldly attacked that portion of the Confede 
rate army in its front, without knowing its strength, 
and continued to drive it until dark, and then held the 
position it had gained until morning, when the battle was 
renewed. I speak again of Fredericksburg, where the 
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps crossed the railroad, and 
led the advance, unaided and alone, up the heights, and 



SAD THOUGHTS. 293 

held their position for half an hour. Had they been fol- 
lowed and supported by other troops, their courage that 
day would have won a victory. I repeat, therefore, that 
I have a right to be proud and grateful when the ofiicers 
and men of such a command, who can with truth point 
to a hard-earned and dearly-bought record of bright 
deeds, present me, who have had the honor of command- 
ing them, wdth such a testimonial. 

" While, however, I give expression to these feelings, 
they are not unmingled with others of a sad and mourn- 
ful nature, as I look around you and reflect that so 
many of the brave officers and soldiers who originally 
composed this division sleep their last sleep, and that 
others have been obliged to return home crippled and 
maimed for life. It is terrible to think that there should 
be any necessity for so much misfortune and misery! 
Sad, that in this country, a land flowing with milk and 
honey, and in which we are all brothers, we should raise 
our arms against each other, and such scenes should be 
enacted as I have been a participant in. It is sad that 
there should be an occasion like the present, for the 
presentation of a testimonial such as this. These are 
sad, sad thoughts to me, but at the same time I am sus- 
tained in my present position by a consciousness that I 
am acting from a high and proper sense of my duty to 
my country. It is impossible that this great country 
should be divided; that there should be two govern- 
ments or two flags on this continent. Such a thing is 
entirely out of the question. I trust that every loyal 
man would be willing to sacrifice his life before he 
would consent to have more than one government and 
one flag wave over the whole territory of the United 
States. This re-union, gentlemen, awakens in my heart 
new sorrow for an officer which it vividly recalls to my 
mind, for he commanded the division when I commanded 
one of the brigades. He was the noblest as well as the 
bravest gentleman in the army. I refer to John F. Rey- 
nolds. I cannot receive this sword without thinkino; of 



294: OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

that officer. AYhen he fell at Gettysburg, leading the 
advance, I lost not only a lieutenant of the utmost im- 
portance to me, but I may say that I lost a friend, aye, 
even a brother. I miss other faces which were familiar 
to me in your midst — Bayard, of the cavalry ; Jackson, 
of the Third brigade; Simmons, of the Fifth; McNeil 
and Taylor, of the Eifles ; young Kuhn, who came from 
Philadelphia to. assist me in the field ; Dehone, and a 
host of others whose memories you all cherish. 

" It is oppressive, gentlemen, to me to go over the list 
of these officers who have been sacrificed ; but if I could 
remember and name every soldier of your division that 
has fallen, what a long list, and what a trying Recital it 
would be to us all ! How many men who once belonged 
to the Pennsylvania Eeserve Corps now sleep in the 
grave, or are lingering on earth, joyfully expecting . 
death to end their sufferings. 

" I thank you, General Crawford, for the kind manner 
in which you have conveyed to me this elegant testimo- 
nial, and I also thank these gentlemen who have come 
so far to be present. I trust, sir, this sword will be re- 
quired but a short time longer. Affairs and events now 
look as if this unhappy war might be brought to a 
happy termination. I have to request of you, gentlemen, 
who are in civil life, that, when you return home, you 
will spare no efforts to make the people understand that 
all we want are men to fill up our ranks. Send these 
to us. Give ns the numbers, and the war will soon be 
concluded. I think the Confederates are now satisfied that 
their struggle is only a matter of time, as we have the 
force on our side, and that as soon as they see that we 
are bringing out that force in earnest they will yield. 
Permit me, before I close, to mention what I intended 
to refer to before this, but it escaped my memory. I 
intended to express my delight, sir, on hearing that at 
Gettysburg, under your command, the Eeserve Corps 
enacted deeds worthy of their former reputation, show- 
ing that they had lost none of their daring, and could 



THE DESERTERS. 295 

always be relied on in the hour and post of danger. I 
expected that this would be the case, it was particularly 
gratifying to me to hear it from your immediate com- 
mander on that occasion. Thanking you for your gal- 
lantry there, and again thanking you for your kindness, 
I will conclude." 

The general was followed by Governor Andrew G. 
Curtin, in a patriotic and soul-stirring speech, in which 
he paid a touching tribute to our dead, and spoke with 
the highest admiration and deepest regret of the lamented 
Eeynolds. After his Excellency followed Colonel R. 
Biddle Roberts, late of the First Reserves, the Honora- 
ble Morton McMichaeland Colonel John W. Forney after 
which all retired to the banquet hall, where was spread 
all the delicacies that a refined taste and epicurian palate 
could suggest. After passing a most happy evening, 
about ten o'clock the mirthful party broke up, the 
civilians taking the cars at Bealton Station, and the 
officers dispersing to their various camps. 

The day following the banquet, the execution of five 
substitute deserters took place in the presence of the 
Fifth Corps, to which they belonged. The spot chosen 
was well fitted for the occasion, the troops being drawn 
up on the slope of a hill from which all could witness it. 
A death procession, composed of the culprits, a priest, 
a rabbi, the guard, the firing party, and the band, to the 
most beautiful and solemn dirges, passed down the line 
and halted in front of the graves. The prisoners seated 
themselves upon their coffins, were blindfolded, a short 

prayer was said, the orders, "ready" — "aim" — "fire" 

given, and the culprits fell back dead. Their graves 
were filled up, and the troops marched back to their 
camps with their bands 'playing merry tunes. Men 
who sell their blood for money and then desert, deserve 
no sympathy. 

On the first of September Lieutenant-colonel G. A. 
Woodward left us, he having been transferred to the 
Invalid Corps, on account of wounds received at Glen- 



296 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

dale, which incapacitated him for field service, although 
in his crippled condition he served through the Penn- 
sylvania campaign. 

The command of the regiment devolved upon Major 
McDonough. 

On the 15th orders were received to march, and the 
next morning at eight- we moved, crossing the Rappa- 
hannock at Beverly's Ford, and halted for the night 
near Mountain run. Early the next morning we moved 
on, passing through Culpepper, which is a fine town and 
encamped about four miles beyond. Beyond the town 
the country was more hilly and wooded, and on an ele- 
vated range we found the marks of the artillery fight 
of the preceding Sunday. The trees were torn and 
shivered, and the carcasses of numerous horses emitted 
a most intolerable stench. Some of the rascally rebs 
took the trouble, and that under fire, of driving some 
of their wounded horses to the neighboring wells and 
tumbling them in, to spoil the water for us. On the 
outskirts of the town is a soldiers' burial ground, con- 
taining about a regiment, formed in column of com- 
panies, with the graves neatly sodded and marked with 
head-boards. 

About this time Adjutant Woodward was' honorably 
discharged the service on account of disability, and 
Lieutenant John L. Rhoads, commanding Company G, 
appointed his successor. 



POXEY MOUXTATN". , 297 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

Lee's attempt to Flank. Back to the Rappahankock. To 
BnANDY Station. The Battle op Bristoe. To Centre- 

VTLLE AND FAIRFAX CoURT HoUSE. VICTORIES AT RAPPA- 
HANNOCK Station and Kelley's Ford. Rebel Cabins. 
Crossing the Rapidan. Battle of Mine Run. Winter 
Quarters at Bristoe. Flag Presentation. Reorganiza- 
tion OF the Army. 

NoTHiNa of importance occurred while we laid here 
until early in October, at which time the contending 
forces occupied opposite banks of the Rapidan river, 
our line extending from near Falmouth on the left to 
Robertson's and Hazel rivers, beyond Thoroughfare 
Mountain on the right, the centre being in front of Cul- 
pepper Court House. On the 9th it was discovered that 
the enemy had commenced advancing northward, evi- 
dently with the intention of interrupting our line of 
communication with Washington. A corresponding 
movement was necessary on our part, and orders were 
issued that night to the army to be prepared to move 
at short notice. At two o'clock the next morning, our 
division moved towards Culpepper, and then turning to 
the left marched around Poney Mountain and bivou- 
acked at Racoon Ford, where we remained until two 
the next morning, when we marched back to our old 
camp. Early in the morning we were again in motion, 
acting as the rear guard of the army and' passing 
through Culpepper moved in the direction of Rappa- 
hannock Station, where, upon our arrival, we were 
drawn up in line of battle, in which position we re- 
mained until night, when we crossed the river and 
bivouacked in our old camp of August and September 
last. The enemy followed us up closely through the 
day, and at Brandy Station a smart fight took place 
between our and their cavalry, in which the latter was 
handsomely repulsed. 



On the 12tli, General Meade, for the purpose of ascer- 
taining the true extent of the enemy's demonstration, 
sent several corps back across the river. Early in the 
morning we crossed the river at Beverly's Ford, and 
formed in line of battle and laid there until near sun- 
down, when we advanced to Brandy Station. Our 
cavalry commenced skirmishing about ten, A. M., and 
by night drove the enemy back to Culpepper. At mid- 
night we marched for the river again, but in the dark- 
ness getting separated from our corps, we did not arrive 
at our old camp until three o'clock on the morning of 
the 13th. 

In this movement General Meade was successful, and 
on the same night Lee crossed the river further up. At 
seven o'clock on the morning of the 13th we moved 
towards Warrenton some distance, and then inclining to 
the right, marched for Catlett's Station, near where we 
bivouacked. 

The two armies were now pushing forward on parallel 
lines, the intention of General Lee being to seize the 
heights of Centre ville with a portion of his army, and 
with the i^emainder to fall upon our flank and rear, 
hoping by a sudden and determined attack to rout our 
army. 

Tpie Battle of Bristoe Station, October 14th, 
1863. — At four o'clock on the morning of the 14th we 
took up our march, moving nearly abreast of the Second 
Corps, and halting for rest after crossing Broad run. 
On the Second Corps reaching Bristoe Station, they found 
Hill's corps drawn up in line of battle. The troops 
which had advanced on the left of the railroad were 
double quicked to the right, and the cut and embank- 
ment, which Hill had neglected to occupy, were taken 
possession of. General Warren hastily formed his troops 
under cover of the cut and embankment, and the enemy 
making an impetuous charge upon his left flank, the 
men rose from their cover, and at close range, poured 
volley after volley into them. During the short but 



THE BATTLE OF BRISTOE STATION" 299 

severe engagement that followed, tlie enemy were re- 
pulsed, they flying from tlie field, leaving their dead and 
wounded, several hundred prisoners and seven guns, two 
of which they subsequently recovered. 

Our division had hardly crossed Broad run before the 
enemy opened upon us with a battery, when we were 
double quicked out of range, and formed behind a wood, 
while a battery was got into position, which soon silenced 
theirs. The division was then ordered forward to sup- 
port the Second Corps, and re-wading Broad run, ad- 
vanced, but by the time we arrived upon the field it was 
dark, and the fighting had mostly ceased. We then 
continued our march, fording Bull run about three 
o'clock the next morning, and laid down for a few hours 
rest.* 

And at nine the same morning we were again on the 
move, passing through Centreville to Fairfax Court 
House, where we bivouacked in a woods, near 'the town, 
and remained until the morning of the 17th, when we 
advanced to Centreville and remained there all night, 
the next morning returning to Fairfax Court House. 

On the 19th, at four, A. M., we again moved, retracing 
our steps towards Centreville, fording Bull run, and that 
night sleeping on the battle-field. Here we found our 
dead mostly as they had fallen, and we laid down and 
slept among the bones of our comrades. 

The next morning, the 20th, reveille was sounded at 
one o'clock, but we did not move until six, we passing 
Gainesville and halting near New Baltimore, where we 
remained until the 26th, when we marched as wagon 
guard to ISTew Auburn. While we laid here. Major 
McDonough was mustered in as lieutenant-colonel, and 
Captain E. Ellis as major. The first mentioned appoint- 
ment gave satisfaction to all. 

' On the 30th at six A. M., we marched to Warrenton 
Junction, and remained there until the 7th of November ' 

* See Appendix A. 



300 our campaign's. 

The Yictories of Eappahannock Station and 
Kelley's Ford, November 7th. — The enemy bad in 
the mean time entrenched themselves on the north and 
south banks of the Rappahannock, near Rappahannock 
Station, and deeming themselves secure from interference, 
had commenced the construction of huts on the south 
side, with the expectation of remaining there during the 
winter. To their surprise, however, early in the after- 
noon of the 7th, General Sedgwick with the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps, arrived before their works, and driving 
their skirmishers before him, occupied a crest less than 
a mile distant, and posted his guns. Our corps was held 
in reserve, under cover of favorable ground, near our 
old camp. An artillery duel commenced, and during its 
progress a storming party, consisting of four regiments, 
of Russell's brigade, and two of Colonel Upton's, was 
organized, and with a cheer made a desperate assault 
upon the forts and rifle-pits. To reach the works half a 
mile of open plain had to be traversed, but regardless of 
the heavy fire that was opened upon them, they moved 
steadily forward at double-quick without firing a single 
shot until they reached the works. Here a desperate 
hand-to-hand struggle commenced and continued for 
about twenty minutes, resulting in a complete victory to 
our troops, and the surrender of the enemy. Four guns 
and two thousand stand of arms were captured, and 
about one thousand six hundred of&cers and men taken 
prisoners. 

In the meantime General French had been sent with 
the Firsts Second, and Third Corps to Kelley's Ford, 
where, after a brief but warm engagement, he succeeded 
''in capturing the rifle-pits and a large number of priso- 
ners and their arms. 

Late in the afternoon, our regiment was advanced 
towards the river, and a detail of seventy men under 
Captain Byrnes sent out as pickets to hold Fordmand's 
Ford, on the south side of which the enemy were in con- 



THE BATTLE OF NEW HOPE CHURCH. 801 

siderable force, and had a long line of rifle-pits erected. 
During the night the enemy withdrew. 

The next morning, the 8th, we reached Kelley's Ford, 
and about one P. M. crossed the Eappahannock, and 
massed in column of division, halted awhile, and then ad- 
vanced about two miles and took possession of the fine 
winter quarters built by A. P. Hill's Corps, which we 
found much more comfortable than our own shelter tents. 
They were composed of log cabins with shingled roofs, 
ample chimn.ey -places, and furnished with bunks, tables, 
and stools. Here were captured three thousand pair of 
drawers, a large lot of harness, muskets, horse-shoes, 
blacksmith's coal, etc. 

On the 10th we marched to Mountain run, where w^ 
also found comfortable quarters, which the enemy had 
erected in expectation of enjoying a pleasant winter's 
rest. We remained here until the 24th, during which 
time we were paid off by Major Smith, had several 
inspections, and drilled continually. 

On the 24th we broke camp, and marched in the di- 
rection of the Rapidan, but on account of the violence of 
a rain storm that set in, we countermarched and returned 
to our quarters Avhere we remained until the 26th. 

On the 26th, we again marched from our quarters 
towards the Rapidan, which we crossed at Culpepper 
Mine Ford, and advanced on the Culpepper Plank road, 
and halted near its junction with the Orange Plank road, 
and bivouacked for the night within three miles of Chan- 
cellorsville. 

On the 27th was fought the battle of Locust Grove, 
which resulted in the success of our arms and the retreat 
of the enemy, with heavy loss. That morning we 
marched to New Hope Church, where we found Gregg's 
cavalry division, which we relieved, and then throwing 
out skirmishers, formed in line of battle, and laid down 
all day under a heavy shelling without pulling a trigger.''* 

* See Appendix A. 



802 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

On tlie 28tli, the enemy were pursued towards their de- 
fences on the west bank of Mine run, a small tributary 
of the Eapidan. Their position was a very strong one, 
the line being formed on a series of ridges with enfilad- 
ing positions for batteries, while in front stretched an 
extensive marsh. That morning we moved to the right 
and halted at Robinson's tavern. 

On the 29th, we advanced to Mine run, and formed a 
line of battle, and bivouacked there for the night. On 
the 80th, we were advanced to the right and deployed 
as skirmishers, and then moved into a woods where we 
laid until the 2d of December. The shelling on both 
sides was for a time very heavy, but little damage, how- 
ever was done.* The men suffered severely from the 
cold, some being frozen to death, and others carried to 
the rear, totally benumbed. General Warren reported 
that the enemy's right could be carried, but after a care- 
ful examination of the position, General Meade concluded 
it could not be done without a fearful sacrifice of life. 
Accordingly a retrograde movement was decided upon, 
and on the 2d it was commenced, a large portion of the 
army returning to their old quarters at Brandy Station, 
while a portion was stretched along the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad for its protection. 

On the evening of the 2d, we commenced falling back, 
and crossed the Rapidan at five o'clock the next morn- 
ing, when we took a couple of hours rest, marching again 
at eight o'clock for Brandy Station, where we bivouacked 
for the night. On the 4th, we moved across the Rappa- 
hannock, and arrived at Bristoe Station on. the 5th. 

During this movement, the army suffered much from 
cold, many times being in positions that forebade the 
building of fires. Yet they stood the fatigues and hard- 
ships with great fortitude, and were as rugged and hearty 
as ever. 

Our encampment laid on the south side of Broad run, 

* See Appendix A. 



FLAG PRESENTATION. 803 

on a Mil overlooking the surrounding country. We had 
the good fortune to "occupy the log cabins built by the 
One-hundred-and-forty-ninth regiment Pennsylvania vol- 
unteers, which we found quite comfortable, and regularly' 
laid out in company streets. Surrounding all was a 
rifle-pit. 

About two miles to the southeast laid the almost de- 
serted village of Brentsville, the county town of Prince 
William. This village, like most others in Virginia, being 
deprived of all the active portion of its population and 
trade, was soon deserted by those that remained, who 
had no other alternative but starvation. D-aily the 
soldiers entered the deserted village and carried off' 
doors, windows, weather-boards, bricks, etc., to their 
camps, and soon but little was left of the village, except 
a few occupied houses, the chimneys and innumerable 
cats and dogs. Many of the latter were brought to camp, 
each mess having its pet, which, though very agreeable 
companions by day, sometimes made night hideous with 
their noise. 

During the winter, the guerrillas became exceedingly 
bold and annoying, sometimes approaching quite near 
our picket lines, and several skirmishes took place with 
them. On the 28th of January, 1864, John Hoover, 
Company F, was ambuscaded by them, and wounded in 
the arm, which it was necessary to amputate. 

About this time Lieutenant James C. Manton, of Com- 
pany B, while being conveyed home, died at Alexan- 
dria. He was a brave young officer of much promise, 
and had been in command of his company for a long 
while. He was buried in Philadelphia. 

On the 17th of February, First Lieutenant Kobert E. 
Smith, Company D, joined us, he having recov,ered from 
his wound received at Antietam. 

Nothing of interest occurred until the 14th of March, 
when a Committee of the Cooper Shop Volunteer Re- 
freshment Saloon consisting of Messrs. Joseph Megary, 
Philip Fitzpatrick, E. S. Cooper, William Cooper, Jr., 



304 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Samuel W. Niclaols, Charles McDonough, William 
Dougherty and Joseph T/ Packer, visited camp, charged 
with the presentation of a beautiful silk flag and markers 
to the regiment. The day was a beautiful one, and the 
]:)resentation ceremony took place in the presence of the 
brigade, which was formed on three sides of a square, 
with the Second as the base. 

About two o'clock, the Committee, accompanied by 
Colouel McCandless, commanding the division, and Colo- 
nel Talley, commanding the brigade, their respective 
staffs, and a number of ladies, rode to the centre of the 
square and dismounted, when Mr. Megary stepped to the 
front with the flag, which he presented in a neat and 
patriotic speech, which was responded to on behalf of 
the regiment by Colonel McCandless. The color-guard 
then advanced, and the Color-sergeant, Joseph F. Swee- 
ton, received it, amid the loud cheers of the boys and 
patriotic strains of the band. The colonel and the com 
mittee then took position and the brigade passed in 
review, after which they repaired to the camp of the 
Second, where a handsome coHation had been prepared 
in a large tent, beautifully decorated with evergreens. 
After the removal of the cloth, toasts were drunk, and 
patriotic speeches, aboundiDg in wit and humor, were 
made, and at taps all retired to their quarters. 

About this time the reorganization of the Army of 
the Potomac was commenced, some of the army corps, 
divisions, and brigades, being broken up and consoli- 
dated with others. The three brigades of the First divi- 
sion of the Fifth Corps were consolidated into two 
brigades, and the Second Division was consolidated into 
one brigade, all designated as the First Division, Fifth 
Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general Charles Griffin. 

The Second brigade of the Third Division, First Corps, 
was transferred to the Second division. First Corps, and 
this division was designated the Second Division, Fifth 
Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general J. C. Kobinson. 

The old Third Division (Pennsylvania Reserves) Fifth 



RELIEVED BY BURXSIDE. 805 

Corps, was retained as the Third Division, Fifth Corps, 
commanded by Brigadier-general S. W. Crawford. 

The First brigade of the Third Division, First Corps, 
was transferred to the First Division, First Corps, and 
this division was designated as the Fourth Division, 
Fifth Corps, commanded by Brigadier-general J. s! 
Wadsworth. 

The command of the Fifth Corps was assigned to 
General Warren, General Sykes being relieved. 

From this time every thing passed off comparatively 
quiet until the 29th of April, when we were relieved by 
Burnside's Corps. At ten A. M., on that day we broke 
camp, and marched one mile beyond Warrenton Junc- 
tion, where we bivouacked, the next morning we 
marched at five o'clock, crossed the Eappahannock and 
encamped about a mile to the east of the Culpepper 
Court House, where *we remained until the 4th of May. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



Position of the Armies. Opening of Grant's Campaign 
The Battle op the Wilderness The Battle of Spott- 
SYLVANIA Court House. Engagement at Guinney's Sta- 
tion. Engagement at North Anna. Term op Service 
Expires. The Regiment resolves to remain. The BatcTle 
OF Bethesda Church. The Parting. Marching Home. 
Reception in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Presenta- 
tion of Medals 

At this time our army was consolidated near Culpepper 
Court House, about ten miles north of the Rapidan, the 
Confederate army was mainly at Orange Court House, 
about ten miles south of the river : the outposts and 
pickets of both armies reaching that stream, on either 
side. 0^ the morning of the 3d of May, orders for the 
advance of our army were issued. The crossing of the 
Kapidan was effected during that day and the following 

'20 



806 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

night, mainly at Germanna and Ely's Fords, twelve and 
eighteen miles east of Culpepper. Instead of marching 
directly south upon Lee's strong position at Orange, and 
the entrenchments on Mine river, a few miles distant, 
which Meade had found in November too strong to be 
assailed, and which were now doubtless still stronger, 
General Grant's plan was to turn them upon the right, 
that is, to the east, and thus throw himself between these 
positions and Richmond. The effect of this movement 
would be that Lee must either come out of his entrench- 
ments, and defeat this advance upon open ground, or fall 
back towards Richmond. This line of advance would 
compel Grant to traverse the region locally known as 
the Wilderness. 

The Wilderness is a broken, sterile tract of country, in 
Spottsylvania County, commencing not far from the 
south bank of the Rapidan, and stretching ten or fifteen 
miles in each direction. The resfion is intersected in 
every direction by gullies and ravines of no great depth, 
but with steep sides, interspersed here and there with 
swamps. The low hills and swells are covered with a 
thick growth of stunted pines, dwarf oaks, and under- 
brush, hardly reaching the height of a man, but so dense 
as to be almost impenetrable. The roads which straggle 
here and there, crossing and recrossiug, are, with one or 
two exceptions, mere paths, impassable for the rudest 
vehicle, even in good weather, and converted into quag- 
mires by a few hours' rain. Here and there, at the inter- 
section of these roads, is a tavern or store, with half a 
dozen rude dwellings grouped around it. Besides these, 
and here and there a solitary dwelling, the whole tract 
is almost bare of inhabitants. Across this desolate region 
Grant's army must pass in order to carry out the design 
of turning the works at Mine run. That it would be 
attacked by the Confederates, whose intimate knowledge 
of the region would give them a decided advantage, was 
a probability which had to be taken into consideration 
in venturing upon the movement. 



THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 807 

The army, under the- immediate lead of General 
Meade— Lieutenant-general Grant, who accompanied it 
taking the general direction of the whole series of com- 
bined movements— crossed the Eapidan in the course of 
Wednesday, May 4th. The passage was made mainly 
on pontoon bridges, which had been thrown across 
during the previous night. It was effected without op- 
position, apparently before the enemy, some miles dis- 
tant, were aware of the intention. The Fifth Corps 
under Warren, and the Sixth, under Sedgwick, crossed 
at Germanna Ford ; The Second, under Hancock, crossed 
at My s Ford ; the Ninth, under Burnside, being held in 
reserve, on the north bank. The army moved in light 
marching order, carrying six days' rations, leavino- its 
tram to follow after. That night the army encamped 
beyond the south bank of the Eapidan. 

On the 4th we broke camp and crossed the river about 
eleven A. M., and bivouacked on the Lacy farm The 
next morning Companies A, D, E and H, under Captain 
Mealey, were detailed with a like number of the Sixth 
regiment, as train and ambulance guard, and did not 
rejoin us until the 11th. 

The Battle of the Wilderness, May 5th 6th 
AND 7th, 1864.— At three A. M, the line of march was 
taken up through the Wilderness. The enemy beino- 
withm striking distance, it was necessary to assume and 
maintain a line of battle fronting towards him— to the 
west— while we at the same time moved slowly southward. 
Our hue stretched from the northwest to the southwest 
and moved left in front, Hancock holding the advance 
and left, Sedgwick the rear and right, with our corps- 
Warren's— in the centre. The movement had hardly 
begun, and before Warren's corps had got into position, 
before the enemy were discovered approaching in force,' 
Lee evidently intending to repeat his favorite movement 
of hurling his troops in masses upon the weakest point 
of our lines. The attack was made by Ewell's and Hill's 
corps, first upon one point, and then in succession upon 



308 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

others. Some of these assaults were successful at the 
outset; in one, nearly a thousand prisoners and two 
guns were captured ; but the enemy in the end was foiled 
in each, and utterly failed in his purpose to break our 
lines or force us to recross the Eapidan. 

The battle extended far into the night, and the loss, 
which was heavy, was probably about equal on both 
sides; though they took some seven hundred more pris- 
oners than we did. The battle was indecisive, and both 
armies rested upon their arms in their respective posi- 
tions upon the field. 

When the enemy was first discovered advancing, our 
division was moving to its position, on the right of Han- 
cock, and was immediately double-quicked and deployed 
into line of battle, our regiment being thrown out as 
skirmishers. In this formation we advanced to a clear 
piece of ground, bordering on the Wilderness, where the 
enemy's skirmishers were discovered on our left and 
front, with their main force to our right. Here General 
Crawford detached the Second, Seventh and Eleventh 
regiments of our brigade, and ordered McCandless to 
move in upon the enemy. ' The colonel filed the men to 
the right, until he had obtained his front, when he or- 
dered them to advance. A most spirited and exciting 
fight now took place, we driving the enemy for about a 
half mile on to Wadsworth's division, who were before 
hardly pressed. Here a stubborn resistance was attempted 
by them, and McCandless seeing the critical position of 
Wadsworth, ordered a charge, heading it in person, and 
followed by Dr. Donnelly, Lieutenant Taylor, and other 
members of his staff and his orderlies. Animated by the 
heroic conduct of their commander, the brigade followed 
on the run with loud cheers. The enemy were soon 
broken, and driven from their position, but such was the 
impetuosity of the charge that most of the brigade staff) 
Captain Byrnes, and many others were captured ; McCan- 
dless himself escaped by running the gauntlet of th^ir 
fire, and passed out unscathed. 



THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 809 

General Crawford having changed the position of the 
balance of the division, our battalions were in imminent 
danger of being captured, the enemy attempting to turn 
our left flank. This movement, however, was foiled by 
making a left half wheel to the rear, and then by 
doubling around a hill and woods for four miles, under 
an infantry and artillery fire, we were brought off; and 
rejoined the division near the Lacy farm. Here rifle- 
pits were improvised, and we laid down for the night in 
line of battle. 

The scene during the battle was of the most exciting 
nature, the underbrush taking fire and wrapping the 
Wilderness far and near in dense clouds of flame and 
smoke, through which the brave boys went, and in 
which'many of their wounded comrades perished.* 

On the 6th, both Generals Grant and Lee resolved to 
take the offensive, but Lee, who had been joined by 
Longstreet during the night, however, got the start, and 
repeated his tactics of the preceding day, with even more 
determination. Grant also tried the offensive, and the 
two lines of battle, irregularly formed among the dense 
thickets, swayed back and forth during the whole day, 
first at one point, and now at another. Upon several 
instances, the enemy succeeded in breaking through our 
lines, but in every case they were signally repulsed. 

The last and most desperate of these attempts was 
made just at nightfall, when a furious dash was made 
upon the extreme right of Sedgwick's corps, which had 
remained for hours almost unassailed. Seymour's and 
Shalers's brigades were swept away, and both generals 
captured. The whole right wing wks in great peril, and 
if it had been crushed the entire army would have been 
severed from its supplies across the Eapidan, and unless 
the enemy had been checked a ruinous defeat would have 
been almost inevitable. Sedgwick, however, rallied his 
forces and checked the enemy. In the gathering dark- 

* See Appendix A. 



310 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

ness they were probably unaware of- tbe extent of their 
success, and moreover, tliey were exhausted by the ter- 
rible struggle of the day, and withdrew under cover of 
the darkness. 

At eight o'clock that morning, our brigade, in support 
of the Third, advanced about one mile, and met the 
enemy, who, with their skirmishers, we drove back some 
distance, when they took post in a ravine, which offered 
them protection equal to a breastwork. General Craw- 
ford, deeming the advantage to be gained by carrying it, 
would not warrant the heavy sacrifice it would require 
contented himself in liolding them in their position, 
which he did until four o'clock, by laying the men down 
in front of it. About this time General Warren rode up, 
and after reconnoitring the position, ordered us to fall 
back to our old place, near the Lacy house. 

About dark an aid came dashing down and ordered 
us to fall in, and in a moment we were double-quicking 
down the Plank road to Sedgwick's relief Upon arriv- 
ing we were put into position, but soon after moved to 
the left, where we succeeded in re-establishing his lines. 
About ten o'clock we were relieved by his troops, and 
marched back to our old position, where we arrived about 
two the next morning. 

The whole battle, like that of the day before, was a 
series of desperate assaults, successful at first, but finally 
signally repelled. The battle was a drawn one, yet we 
were edging a little out of the Wilderness on to ground 
where we could use artillery, the fighting heretofore being 
confined to musketry, resembling Indian bush-fighting 
on a large scale. 

At daybreak on the 7th, our artillery on the right 
opened fire, but could not elicit any response. Skir- 
mishers were thrown out, and the whole line advanced, 
but as no regular opposition was met with, it was evident 
that the Confederates were falling back. Our army was 
immediately put in motion, marching southward by a 
road nearly parallel with the enemy's, the aim of both 



THE BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVAXIA COURT HOUSE. 311 

being Spottsylvania Court House. Lee arrived there 
first, and took up a strong position, that had been pre- 
viously fortified. 

The Battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 
8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th. — Our regi- 
ment, after considerable countermarching, was sent on 
picket, and did not mc^ve with the main body. In the 
afternoon a sprinkling fire took place between the lines, 
in which Captain Smith was slightly wounded. That 
night we were withdrawn, and on the 8th marched to 
Spottsylvania Court House, a distance of fifteen miles, 
passing over the ground cleared by Sheridan's cavalry, 
and acting as rear guard. Upon our arrival, we found 
our division engaged, and we went uiider fire about two 
P. M. The battle soon after became furious, but in spite 
of the burning woods, and the fire of the enemy, we 
broke, and then drove them nearly two miles, Avhen 
finding we were going too far, we halted, and soon 
after returned to our original position and slept upon the 
field. Our loss was heavy, including Colonel McCand- 
less, who received a painful wound in the arm."^ 

We believe that " The Blue Coats," are a good hearted, 
glorious set of boys, and that heaven was made for Blue 
Coats and pretty ladies, but it is with deep humiliation 
and sorrow that we are compelled to acknowledge that 
we cannot vouch for their honesty. Will you believe it, 
reader ? — -just think how cruel it was — after the innocent 
Second had marched fifteen miles, and fought a hard 
battle, some rascally Blue Coats stole all their meat and 
left them to go supperless to bed. We said our prayers 
a little, and then forgave them as they were Blue Coats — 
but if we had found out what regiment it was, and had 
once have laid eyes on their commissary stores, they 
would have had nothing to eat for a week. But fortun- 
ately for us, the trains arrived through the night, and 
rations were distributed to the whole army. 



Sec Appendix A. 



312 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Colenel McCandless being wounded, and Colonel 
Talley having been taken prisoner, the command of our 
brigade devolved upon Colonel Jackson of the Elevenih. 

The 9th opened comparatively quiet, but early in the 
afternoon, the enemy made an unsuccessful assault on 
Wilcox's division ; and there was sharp skirmishing at 
various points of the line, in one of which the gallant 
General Sedgwick was killed. His loss was severely felt 
by the army. Towards dusk General Grant threw seve- 
ral divisions across one of the branches of the Mattapony. 
Through the day there were the usual charges and 
repulses, without any definite result, the Confederates 
holding a semi-circular line around the Court House, 
and we closely confronting them. 

Early in the day, we were ordered to the right, where 
we took a position, and threw up breastworks. Hardly 
had they been completed before our line was slightly 
changed, which rendered it necessary to throw up new 
ones. Soon after we moved to the right, and crossing a 
deep ravine, advanced to a road through a growth of 
scrub oaks, in which we received a heavy fire, but so 
high that the minnies only tipped our bayonets. Cross- 
ing the road, we charged,-driving the enemy before us, 
until within forty yards of a heavy woods, when we in 
turn were driven back by a new line that suddenly 
emerged from it. When we reached the road, the boys 
rallied and handsomely repulsed the enemy, who con- 
tented themselves with annoying us with a desultory and 
long-ranged musket fire. Here we again threw up tem- 
porary entrenchments. ^ 

The morning of the'lOth was opened by a sharp can- 
nonade, preparatory to a general attack, which was to h^ 
made along the whole line. The contest through the 
day, though most furious was indecisive in its results, 
though upon the whole strongly in our favor. In the 
morning we were engaged in building rifle-pits, and 
afterwards our regiment was sent on picket. The enemy 
in our front became restive about noon, and soon we 



THE BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE. 313 

became engaged in a spirited skirmisTi, which was con- 
tinued until dark, when it ceased by mutual consent * 

Before daybreak on the 11th, Hancock's corps was 
massed, and our division deployed to occupy the ground 
left vacant by them. It rained heavily throughout the 
day, and all remained quiet until the afternoon, when 
some slight skirmishing took place. 

General Grant in an official report to the Secretary of 
War, dated this day, says : " We have now ended the 
sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this 
time is very much in our favor. Our losses have been 
heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think the loss 
of the enemy must be greater. We have taken over five 
thousand prisoners in battle, while he has taken from us 
but few, except stragglers." * * -x- * 

During the night, the position of the corps were 
changed, Hancock, finding himself in front of the Con- 
federate division, under General E. Johnson, who were 
strongly entrenched. At daylight on the 12th, these 
works were charged and carried with a rush, the whole 
division, with its commander, being made prisoners. 
During the day, there was hard fighting along the lines, 
we taking between three and four thousand prisoners, 
including two general officers, and over thirty pieces of 
artillery. The fighting was of the most obstinate nature, 
lasting until after dark, and being renewed about nine 
o'clock continued off' and on with more or less vigor all 
night. 

At one A. M., we moved into rifle-pits, and at day- 
break the enemy opened upon us a heavy fire of artillery, 
to which our guns promptly responded. Between us 
and the works occupied by the enemy, there was a 
valley, covered by a heavy pine and scrub underbrush, 
the pits of each party crowning the opposite crests. 
Through the morning our guns having silenced the fire 
of the enemy's, we leaped over the pits, and charging 
down through the valley, we went up to the breastworks, 

* See Appendix A. 



314 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

and planted our banners upon them, but sucli was the 
terrible fire of the enemy and the stubborn resistance 
that we were driven back to our own works. The boys 
were then laid down behind the pits and told to rest 
themselves and make coffee, after which we opened the 
fight again, charging twice over the valley and being 
driven back each time with heavy loss, Lieutenants 
Eobinson, Company C, being severely, and Clark, Com- 
pany F, mortally wounded. In the last charge, we 
maintained our position for a long while, and did not 
retire until relieved by Colter's brigade.^" 

The 13th passed in comparative quietness, the rain 
that had been falling for two days past still continuing. 
On the 14th, we advanced southward crossing the Po, 
and passing the 15th and 16th without any fighting. 
On the 17th, we marched some distance, and threw up 
intrenchments within sight of the Court House. 

On the 18th, the battle that had lulled for several daj^s 
past, was renewed, Hancock attacking the enemy's right, 
carrying two lines of his intrenchments and capturing 
six guns. General Burnside at the same time attacked 
and drove the enemy's left some distance, but subse- 
quently withdrew. 

The 19th was passed in unusual quietness, until about 
six o'clock, when a sharp fire of musketry was heard 
to our right, and well to the rear. It was evident that 
the enemy had attempted to turn our right, for the pur- 
pose of cutting off' our supplies on the Fredericksburg 
pike. Troops were immediately put in motion to meet 
them. A portion of Greneral Tyler's division, consisting 
for the most part of raw recruits, being nearest, were 
the first to encounter them, and succeeded in recapturing 
the ambulances and wagons and driving the enem}^ back 
into the woods, but were in turn repulsed themselves 
and compelled to retire. The balance of the division, 
however, coming up, the prize Avas again wrenched from 
their hands and the enemy signally repulsed. Our loss 

* See Appendix A. 



BATTLES OF GUINNEY's STATION AND NORTH ANNA. 815 

was only nine hundred killed and wounded, while that 
of Swell's was one thousand two hundred and fifty, 
besides five hundred taken prisoners. 

When the firing was first heard, our division was put 
in motion and double-quicked up the plank road to the 
field, but, as by the time we arrived, the battle was over, 
we returned to our position and rested for the night. 

Everything was quiet on the 20th, and the enemy 
in our front showing a disposition of friendliness it was 
reciprocated on our part, the boys exchanging news- 
papers, etc. That night, General Grant began to ma- 
noeuvre to draw General Lee out of his intrenchments, 
for which purpose Hancock moved to the left, and in 
the evening advanced southward. He continued his 
march the next day, and in the evening occupied Bowl- 
ing Green. Hancock's movement was discovered by the 
enemy and Longstreet an hour afterwards moved south 
also. 

Engagement at Guinney's Station, May 21st. — 
The next day, the 21st, at noon, our division marched 
to the crossing of the Fredericksburg and Richmond 
Railroad, at a stream three miles south of Guinney's 
Station, where we arrived about three o'clock in the 
afternoon. We crossed the stream and advanced some five 
hundred yards, when a terrific fire from some twenty 
pieces of artillery was opened us, but quickly advancing 
a short distance we laid down behind a gentle rise of 
ground, and let the missiles pass harmlessly over our 
heads. As we had not the slightest idea under these 
circumstances, of interfering with the enemy's arrange- 
ments, and as they did not in the least disturb us, we 
had a comfortable rest of nearly two hours, during which 
time there was a great deal of harmless wrath vented 
■upon us. The enemy afterwards withdrew and we occu- 
pied the heights. 

Engagement at North Anna, May 23d. — On the 
22d we went on picket, and the next afternoon, at two 
o'clock, we marched down the Telegraph road, past 



816 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Mount Carmel Churcli, to Jericho Ford, where we crossed 
the North Anna river about five o'clock. There we 
found the enemy in force, and after the usual preliminary 
shelling, he advanced his infantry to a charge, but they 
were signally repulsed. The battle lasted with consider- 
able spirit until night, our division taking over four 
hundred prisoners, mostly South Carolinians. 

On the 24th, we moved to the left and intrenched our- 
selves, and remained inactive and quiet until the 26th. 
By this time Grant's entire army was between the North 
and South Anna rivers, and within twenty-five miles of 
Eichmond. On the north bank of the latter river was 
General Lee's new line of defence. 

On the 25th, the three years term of service of our 
regiment expired, and General Crawford put the ques- 
tion to the boys, whether they would go home alone, or 
remain until the 31st, when the other regiments of the 
division would be relieved. They unanimously decided 
to remain with their comrades and see the old division 
through. This decision was highly gratifying to the 
General and all the of&cers. 

On the same day, Lieutenant Justus, Acting Quarter- 
master, while out procuring forage for division head- 
quarters, was captured by the enemy. 

To all appearances, it was Grant's intention to assault 
Lee in his new line, as he did the former one along the 
Po. But, on the 26th, he commenced re-crossing the 
North Anna, and on the 31st he had his whole army 
south of the Pamunky and within ten miles of Eich- 
mond, with a new base of supplies established at White 
House. 

On the 26th, our corps, bringing up the rear of Han- 
cock and Wright's, crossed the North Anna and marched 
for the Pamunky, which we crossed on the 28th, at 
Hanovertown Ford, Gregg's cavalry division skirmishing 
and driving the enemy's before them. On the 29th, we 
advanced to Hawes' shop, meeting with no opposition. 

The Battle of Bethesda Church, May BOtu. — On 



THE BATTLE OF BETHESDA. 817 

the 30tb, General Warren pushed forward our division, 
the left of his corps, from Hawes' shop towards Mechanics- 
ville, we passing Bethesda Church about noon, and 
reaching the neighborhood of Shady Grove church about 
two o'clock, where we met the enemy's skirmishers. It 
was about this hour of the day, and at this place, that we 
met the enemy under similar circumstances just before 
the battle of Mechanicsville, our first fight. Skirmishing 
soon commenced, and we fell back, making but little 
resistance until we reached the road running from 
Mechanicsville to Hanover Court House. Here we com- 
menced throwing up breastworks, but had not worked 
more than half an hour before we were attacked on both 
flanks with great fury. From some of the prisoners 
taken, we ascertained that the attacking force consisted 
of Khode's division and one brigade of Early's division 
of E well's corps, and orders were given to fall back. We 
retired slowly for three-quarters of a mile, delivering so 
steady and heavy a skirmish fire that the enemy did not 
follow us up vigorously. 

Keaching a favorable position, the division was halted, 
and the line of battle formed across the road and through 
some fields into the woods. The Third brigade, Colonel 
J. W. Fisher, held the right of the line, the First brigade, 
Colonel M. D. Harden, the centre, and Kitchen's brigade 
of heavy artillery, armed as infantry, the left, with two 
sections of a Michigan battery posted near the centre. 
Our whole force did not number over five thousand five 
hundred men. After the line was formed, the Second 
regiment was moved to the rear and left, and posted to 
hold a piece of woods. The men immediately went to 
work throwing up breastworks, which were so formed as 
to enable us to deliver a cross fire. The artillery com- 
menced shelling the woods in front at different points, 
feeling the enemy's guns, from which they soon received 
a response. Soon after, near sundown, the whole of 
Ewell's corps emerged from the woods, formed in three 
lines, and advanced to the charge. Scarcely had they 



318 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

moved, before the Third brigade opened upon their flank 
a severe cross-fire, which turned them over upon the 
First and Kitchen's brigades. 

About twenty-five yards in front of the First brigade's 
rifle-pits was a fence and some bushes that concealed our 
pits and men from view. The enemy advanced to the 
fence in most excellent order, and as they reached it, our 
whole line, which had not fired a shot, opened upon them 
a crushing fire of musketry, while the artillery poured 
in canister and one-second fuse shells. Their repulse 
was instantaneous and complete. What were not killed 
or wounded of the first line threw themselves upon the 
ground, and the balance precipitately fled. Our men 
then slackened their fire, but whenever those who had 
laid down got up to run, they were shot. Finally, an 
officer called out to them, that if they would throw down 
their arms and come in, they would be spared, and 
about four hundred of them surrendered, including two 
colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, one major, and twenty 
line officers. 

The enemy's loss was calculated to be very little short of 
one thousand men. General Eansom, of North Carolina, 
was left dead upon the field, and his sword was presented 
by one of the boys to General Crawford. Colonel Ter- 
rill, of the Twenty-seventh Virginia, a brother of the 
Union General Terrill who was killed at Shiloh, was also 
killed. The Confederate Colonel Hoffman was cut in two 
by a shell. The color-bearer of the Fifty- second Virginia 
came to the fence, when he was struck by a shell and 
literally torn to pieces. Some of his comrades, however, 
saved their flag. Our loss was not heavy, except in the 
first engagement on the Mechanicsville road, where we 
were compelled to leave our wounded in the hands of 
the enemy. It amounted to fifteen killed, fifty-four 
wounded, and eighty-five missing, in all one hundred 
and fifty-four. 

This signal repulse of Ewell's corps, with such 
slaughter, by a force of less than one-third of their num- 



, FAREWELL TO THE RESERVES. 319 

ber, and witliin a short distance of the victorious field of 
Mechanicsville, where we opened the " Seven days battle," 
was a fitting close of the glorious career of the Pennsyl- 
vania Keserves. That night we slept victors upon our 
last field of victory. 

The next morning we buried onr fallen comrades, and 
those of the enemy, on the field of honor, and left them 
to " sleep their last sleep," peacefully, side by side, until 
the last trump " shall wake them to glory again." 

In the course of the morning, the following orders 
were received and read to the division : 

Headquarters, Fifth Army Corps, ) 
May 3d, 1864. / 

Soldiers : — With this is the order for the return of the 
Pennsylvania Eeserves, whose term of service expires 
to-day. The General commanding begs leave to express 
to them his great satisfaction at their heroic conduct in 
this arduous campaign. As their commander, he thanks 
them for their willing and effective eftbrts, and congratu- 
lates them that their successful engagement of yesterday, 
closing their term of service, and being the last of many 
battles bravely fought, is one they can ever remember 
with satisfaction and pride. 
By command of 

MAJOE-GENERAL WARREN. 
(Signed,) 

A. G. Mann, A. A. G. 

Headquarters Third Division, \ 

Pennsylvania Reserve Vol. Corps, Fifth Army Corps, | 

June 1, 1864. 

Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Reserves : — To-day the 
connection which has so long existed between us is to 
be severed forever. I have no power to express to you 
the feeling of gratitude and affection that I bear to you, 
nor the deep regret with which I i^ow part from you. 

As a division you have ever been faithful and devoted 
soldiers, and you have nobly sustained me in the many 



320 OUR CAMPAIGNS 

trying scenes througli which we have passed with an 
unwavering fidelity. 

The record of yonr service terminates gloriously, and 
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House and Bethesda 
Church, have been added to the long list of battles and 
triumphs that have marked your career. 

Go home to the great State that sent you forth three 
years ago to battle for her honor and to strike for her in 
the great cause of the country. 

Take back your soiled and war-worn banners, your 
thinned and shattered ranks, and let them tell how you 
performed your trust. 

Take back those banners sacred from the glorious 
associations that surround them, sacred with the memory 
of our fallen comrades who gave their lives to defend 
them, and give them again into the keeping of the State 
forever. 

The duties of the hour prevent me from accompanying 
you, but my heart will follow you long after your return, 
and it shall ever be my pride that I was once yoar com- 
mander, and that side by side we fought and sufifered 
through campaigns which will stand unexampled in 
history.' Farewell. . 

S. W. CRAWFORD. 

Brigadier-general Commanding Division. 

(Signed,) 

R. A. McCoy, 

Lieutenant-colonel and A. A. G. 



After the reading of these orders, an order was issued 
for all those whose term of service had not expired, and 
those who had re-enlisted to report to Colonel Carroll at 
headquarters. From our regiment there were Companies 
B, Lieutenant Cullin ; F, Captain Clark, and G, Captain 
Woodward, with some fifty veterans and recruits. They 
were got together and marched over, where they stacked 
arms and returned to spend the day with us. 

The next morning, June 1st, we were up and in line 



COMIXG HOME. 321 

early, and those wlao were to remain came over to bid 
Tis good-bye. It was one of the saddest and. most trying 
hours of our lives We had read of comrades parting, 
and we had parted with friends of childhood's days, but 
we could not realize the strong attachment that had 
grown up between us, until the hour of separation came. 
It was the parting of those who had shared their last 
cracker, who had slept under the same blanket, who had 
picketed together through many weary hours of the 
night, and who had stood side by side when the storm 
of death was sweeping by — it was the parting of brothers. 
Not an eye was dry. From our general down, the tears 
gushed out in spite of strife to conceal them. But the 
hour came. From "Home sweet Home," the bands 
changed to patriotic strains, and the air was rent with 
the loud cheers of the boys as they shouted their last 
good-bye. 

But there were other sad memories that clustered 
around our hearts as we marched along. We were near 
the fields of " The Seven Days' Battles," upon which the 
bones of many of our comrades lay bleaching. How 
vividly those scenes of strife, of glory and disappoint- 
ment, arose in our vision ! How we recounted the names 
of our dead ! But their spirits still cluster around the 
old flag, and they are happy, at least with the conscious- 
ness that they met death gloriously and had fallen in a 
sacred cause. 

We took up our march for White House, following 
closely the genei'al course of the Pamunky, and arrived 
there on the afternoon of the next day. 

On the morning of the 8d, we embarked, and passing 
down the Pamunky and York rivers, entered the Chesa- 
peake Bay and steamed up the Potomac to Washington, 
where we arrived on the evening of the 4th, and disem- 
barking marched to the Soldier's Eest, where we slept 
for the night. 

At noon the next day, we took passage by rail to 
Baltimore, and at the depot formed and marched through 

21 



822 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

the city to the depot of the Northern Central road. On 
our passage through we were received with cheers and 
other demonstrations of joy by the citizens who thronged 
the thoroughfares. We arrived at Harrisburg about ten 
o'clock on the morning of the 6th, and marching to the 
Volunteer Eefreshment Saloon, partook of an excellent 
collation that had been generously prepared for us. 

The church bells of the city were now merrily ringing 
out a welcome to us, and the citizens were closing their 
stores and gathering to receive us. The State guns were 
thundering forth a salute from Capitol Hill; and the 
different furnace and factory signals sent up one con- 
tinual din and roar., The procession to receive us 
arrived, and we wheeled into line, they marching in the 
following order: 

Chief Marshal William H. Kepner and Aids. Band 
of Music. Military escort. Captain Bate's battery, First 
New York Artillery. Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. 
Assistant Marshal. Governor and Cabinet Officers in 
carriages. Mayor and President of Common Council in 
carriage. Clergy. State Officers. County Officers. 
Judges and Members of the Bar. Common Council of 
the City of Harrisburg. Assistant Marshal. Band of 
Music. Officers of the Army and Navy sojourning in 
Harrisburg. Strangers sojourning in Harrisburg. Civic 
Societies. Assistant Marshal. Citizens of Harrisburg. 
Assistant Marshal. Band of Music. Fire Department. 
Assistant Marshal. 

As we passed along, cheer after cheer was given and 
bouquets and flowers thrown, until the boys were literally 
covered with the richest floral offerings of June. About 
noon we reached Capitol Hill, where was collected a vast 
concourse of citizens, who made the welkin ring with 
loud huzzas. Reaching the main edifice, the Corps was' 
massed in front of the Capitol portico, and Mayor Roum- 
fort mounting the stand improvised for the occasion, 
delivered the following address : 

'' Hail, brave soldiers of Pennsylvania ! In the name 



RECEPTIOX IN HAKRISBURG. 823 

of the citizeDs of Harrisburg, I greet you with hearty 
most hearty welcome to the Capital of your State 
During the last three years, by flood and by field, in the 
valleys and upon the mountain-tops, you have like 
gallant and noble soldiers, bravely fought, bled and died 
tor our common country, carrying the old flag from 
victory to victory. You have been on every battle-field 
and m the extreme front of evpry battle and grand 
contest east of the Allegheny Mountains, and immor- 
talized yourselves, winning laurels of renown unsur- 
passed. 

" Of twenty thousand men who marched into the field 
an unbroken front three years ago, you now return the 
broken, battle-stamed, shattered remnants of two thou- 
sand men. May your departed companions, whom you 
have left behind you in Southern graves, who have 
lallen m defence of our country's liberties, receive that 
crown of immortality which has become their heritao-e 
as bequeathed to glory and to fame. And not only the 
lallen of the brave ones, whose untimely end we so 
deeply deplore, but at your feet, brave soldiers- in-arms 
cast we our garlands of flowers. JSTever shall your deeds 
be forgotten. 

" It was the intention of the citizens of Harrisburg 
to give you upon this very ground a reception dinner, 
but you are as sudden with your friends as with your 
enemies ; you took us unawares and by surprise You 
outflanked us. But, my gallant soldiers, the citizens of 
Harrisburg do not despair of entertaining you. They 
have all agreed to invite you into the sanctity of their 
homes. They will receive you there as part of their 
own loved families, around their tables and hearth-stones 
They will remind you of the old times when you used 
to sit at home by the smoking hot dinner; and you can 
relate to them your gallant charges, your narrow escapes, 
and the circumstances of your glorious victories through 
which you have passed since you marched from your 
homes to the battle-fields of Rebellion. We will be glad 



324 OUK CAMPAIGNS. 

to hear your voices in our homes, as we will be most 
happy and proud to entertain you. And after you have 
partaken of this foretaste of our gratitude, you will be 
permitted to go home to the dear ones there, in whose 
hearts your memory has become enshrined as holy in 
the history of our Commonwealth. My good friends, 
my gallant friends, I welcome you again ! and when the 
alarums of war have ceased may you enjoy that peace you 
so well deserve under your own vine and fig-tree, with 
your household gods around you. In that day it will 
be merely necessary for you to -say, 'I was a member 
of the Pennsylvania Keserve Corps,' and the answer 
will come from bystanders, ' Bless the brave man !' 

" My friends, I expect that next Wednesday, at two 
o'clock in the afternoon, you and we will participate of 
the dinner which will be provided for you." 

The Mayor was most heartily cheered, and after some- 
thing like silence could be produced. Governor Curtin 
stepped upon the platform. 

The Governor spoke substantially as follows : — 

" I thank you, Mr. Mayor of Harrisburg, and you the 
people of this city, for this your hearty welcome to these 
brave men. It has been through you, brave soldiers, 
that the hearts of the people have been stirred. Your 
presence here again, my fellow-citizens (the Reserves), 
has stirred up emotions in our hearts, deep and glorious 
as our feelings are to-day, that we will never forget. I 
cannot find language to adequately express to you the 
sentiments and feelings of Pennsylvania, and when I say, 
as we all say, ' You have done your whole duty,' I but 
faintly convey to you the universal verdict of the whole 
people of this commonwealth. It is now nearly three 
years since you left this city a mighty army. Nearly 
that period of time has elapsed since I had the honor of 
handing to you these standards which you are about to 
return to the State, unstained with dishonor and covered 
with laurels of brightest martial renown. You have 
never set foot upon the soil of your homes since then, 



RECEPTION IN HARRISBURG. 325 

save once. Once yon came back to Pennsylvania, and 
then we all heard of your deeds, that spoke in thunder 
tones with your cheers. ' Eound Top' at Gettysburg will 
ever live as a watch-word of glory and victory. When 
nearly all the rest gave way before the bayonets of the 
enemy we heaird your shouts around the hills of that 
devoted country, in the face of the enemy, and to you 
belongs the honor of driving him from our soil. 

" I would speak of your gallant deeds, but they have 
passed into history. I have not time to enumerate the 
battles you have been in. History will record all you 
have done for your country. The record of the Penn- 
sylvania Keserve Corps is without blemish and spotless. 
I am not qualified to speak of the heroic dead you have 
left upon nearly every battle-field of the Kepublic. Upon 
their graves centres the gratitude of this great people. 
But I can welcome you, who have returned with sunburnt 
faces and tattered flags to your homes. From the Korth 
and the South, and the East and the "West, the voice of 
welcome is wafted towards you from the old Keystone 
State. 

"We did not know three years ago that you would 
remain so long in the public service. But I can say 
that I refer with pride and pleasure to the part the great 
State has borne in this contest, from the battle of Draines- 
ville, where you were the first to strike, until last Mon- 
day, where you struck your heaviest blow at Bethesda 
Church. May you all find a happy welcome at your 
homes! May you be all marked as brave men who 
served their country in times of greatest peril. May 
you never regret that you belonged to the Pennsylvania 
Eeserve Corps and were in every battle of the Eepublic ! 
With this welcome I bid you farewell." 

At the close of the Governor's speech loud cheers 
were given for his Excellency, Grant, Meade and the 
Army of the Potomac. 

Colonel Fisher, in behalf of the Corps, responded 
briefly, as follows : — 



326 . OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

"Mr. Mayor, Governor and citizens of Harrisburg. 
In the name of the remnants of what was once a mighty 
division, I thank you for the reception you have given 
us here to-day. The people of Harrisburg, represented 
by their Mayor, have overwhelmed us with their kind- 
ness. In reply to these kind expressions, the only re- 
sponse I have to make is the speech familiar to the 
Pennsylvania Eeserves. So, my gallant boys, let us 
have three cheers, and let them be such thundering 
cheers as you gave at Bethesda Church before we left 
the army." 

And in response the whole Corps joined in three 
cheers, that made the old State House tremble from 
dome to foundation. 

Colonel McCandless, who was severely wounded, being 
called for, made a brief speech in thanks for the Key- 
stone's welcome. " He had only to say, and he did him- 
self honor in saying, that they (the Eeserves), in their 
consciences felt that they had done their whole duty. 
And we are willing for as many years as our lives shall 
last and our blood flow in our veins to continue to sus- 
tain the old flag which we have carried in triumph in 
many an engagement. 

" We stand upon a sure record. We fought the first 
battle at Drain esville; at Malvern we were there, and 
whenever and wherever the Eeserves were called, they 
were there. It shall always be my pleasure to stand by 
3^ou and lead you where you wish to be led." 

Colonel E. Biddle Eoberts being called for, addressed 
the Corps in a few eloqu(jnt remarks, which were vocife- 
rously applauded by the Corps. He remarked that a 
hot dinner had been promised them ; but he remembered 
the time when they had a hot dinner, a very hot dinner, 
with no ladies around to grace it with their smiles. 

The Corps then marched to Camp Curtin, where we 
spent the night. 

Although the citizens of Harrisburg had generously 
offered us a reception dinner, and pressed us to stay and 



KECEPTIOX i:Nr PHILADELPHIA. 827 

partake of it, we were constrained to decline, as all were 
anxious to get home to receive that welcome that comes 
from the heart alone, without any pomp or ceremony. 
Therefore, the next morning our regiment accompanied 
by the First and Seventh, under the command of Colonel 
Talley, proceeded to Philadelphia, where we arrived 
early m the afternoqn of the same day. The First and 
Seventh did not belong to the city but were ordered there 
to be mustered out. 

Upon arriving at' West Philadelphia a salute was fired 
and a Committee of Councils and other organizations 
were m attendance. As the battalions alio:hted from the 
cars and formed into line, loud cheers arose from the 
crowd and bouquets of flowers were presented to the men. 
The line of escort was formed on Market street, east 
of the bridge, and took up the march in the followino- 
order : — ° 

Band. Committee of Councils. Committee of Citizens. 
Committee of Refreshment Saloons. Liberty Band. Vet- 
eran Eeserve Corps. The Provost Gruard. Douglas' Band 
Discharged Officers and Men of the Division. The First, 
Second and Seventh Regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves'. 
The wounded and convalescent soldiers of the Reserves 
Mechanics' Band. The Fire Department. Ambulances. 

The procession proceeded to the National Guard s 
Hall where the Reserves were welcomed by Colonel 
Small on behalf of the City, which was responded to by 
Colonel Talley. The line of march was again taken up 
from the Hall to the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment 
Saloon, the streets through which it passed being densely 
packed with citizens, who at various points gave hearty 
cheers. The public buildings and many private houses 
were decorated with flags and patriotic devices, and a 
handsomely decorated archway was erected across Third 
street, at Evelina street by the Hibernia Engine Com- 
pany, bearing the inscription, "Welcome, Brave Re- 
serves," The bells of the Fire Companies were rung as 
the procession passed, and St. Peter's bells chimed forth 



828 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

a merrj welcome. At the Eefresliment Saloon a hand- 
some entertainment was spread, after partaking of which 
the boys were dismissed to their homes. 

Companies C, " Hibernia Target Company/' and D of 
the Northern Liberty, were taken in charge by the mem- 
bers of their respective companies and marched to their 
halls where a warm reception awaited them. 

As the boys marched along they were not only greeted 
by strangers but by friends and relatives who rushed to 
grasp their hands. But all was not joy and happiness 
that day, for there was the fond mother, the affectionate 
father, the devoted wife, the gentle sister and the true- 
hearted brother, who gazed with sadness upon the shat- 
tered ranks and thought of those — their own dear ones 
— whom we had left to sleep upon the battle-field. Sad 
indeed where their thoughts when they remembered the 
bright eye and flushed cheek, so full of hope, of love, 
of glory, that bid them farewell as they marched off to 
battle for the Union and Liberty, and that now are dimmed 
and faded away. But peacefully sleep their dead, for 
their blood arises like sweet incense from the altar of their 
country. 

A few days afterwards the members were called to- 
gether at the hall of the Hibernia Engine Company, to 
receive the medals that had been prepared for them by 
a Committee of Citizens. The medals which are one 
inch and an eighth in diameter, have on one side the 
Pennsylvania coat of arms inside of a wreath of laurel, 
with the words "Second Eegiment P. K. V. C, June, 
1864. On the other side are the words " Honor to the 
Brave," "Presented by the Citizens of Philadelphia." 
Colonel James Page made the presentation in behalf of 
the citizens, and Colonels McCandless and McDonough 
of the regiment responded. 

Shortly afterwards the regiment was mustered out of 
service, and now the name and the glory of the Second 
Eeserves is all that remains. 



APPENDIX A. 

KILLED, WOUNDED AND PKISONEES. 





mechanicsvtt.t.t:. 




Private George W. Atkins, Co. D 




Killed. 




u 


Anthony W. Laws, 


D 








u 


Julius C. Aitken, 


-E 


Corp'l 


Isaiah McCauley, Co 


. A 


u 


William McFarland,t 


E 




Jacob Kreis, 


D 


(( 


Edward Barnes, 


K 


Private Samuel Drain, 


A 










William Rowbotham, 


A 




Prisoners. 






John Williams, 


A 


Corp'l 


Lambert Longshore, 


A 




Ignatius Gillette, 


B 


Private James Murphy, 


B 




Joseph Nightingale,* 


C 


u 


Augustus Rickards, 


B 




Thomas Ward,* 


C 


(( 


James Nicholson, 


E 




Joseph L. Fisher, 


D 










Thomas Hackett, 


D 




GAINES' MILL. 






William Haughly, 


D 




Killed. 






John J. Reilly, 


D 










Joseph Simpson, 


E 


Corp'l 


Charles Day, 


A 




Calhoun White, 


E 


C. '' 


Andrew Beckett,* 


E 




James Graham, 


E 


Private Thomas Lyttle, 


B 




Wounded. 






George Whiteman, 
Patrick Dunn, 


D 
H 


1st Lt. 


Daniel H. Connors, 


A 


" 


Thomas Edmonson, 


K 


u 


John B. Robinson, 


C 


(( 


William Shaw,* 


K 


Sergt. 


George W. Fowler,! 


A 




W^ou7ided. 




(I 


Dennis Maguire, 


B 








(( 


James Toomey, 


D 


Capt. 


J. Orr Finnic,! 


E 


Corp'l 


Jacob Tugent,t 


A 


1st Lt. 


Hugh P. Kennedy,! 


H 


%i 


William Drain,! 


A 


Sergt. 


Isaac E. Sharp,! 


E 


Private William HofF,t 


A 


u 


Henry Moore, 


C 


i( 


Frederick Hibberd,t 


A 


u 


James Stewart,! 


E 


u 


John Kernan,t 


A 


Corp'l 


James Thompson. 


C 


u 


Robert Kirkwood, 


A 


(( 


John S. McBride, 


D 


(( 


James McGran,t 


A 


Private John Carr, 


B 


(( 


Wm. Schoenewald, 


A 


u 


George Harris, 


C 


(( 


John Shaw, 


B 


u 


Charles Stump, 


C 


u 


William F. Graff, 


C 


(( 


William McLain, 


c 


(( 


William Derr, 


C 


(( 


John Murphy, 


c 


n 


Chas. W. Nickert,t 


C 


(( 


James O'Kane, 


D 


n 


Jacob L. Blight, 


D 


u 


Cassius P. Harvey,! 


E 




* Died subsequently. 






t Taken prisoner. 

(329) 





830 



OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



i' 



Private Wm. McDonald,! Co. E 

*' James Kincade,t H 

" Abraham Fulton, f H 

" Alexander Mm'dock,t H 

" Bernard Finnigan, H 

Prisoners. 

Private John Haney, A 

" John Walls, B 

GLENDALE. 

Killed. 

1st Lt. J. Baxter Fletcher,* E 

2d Lt. James R. ^Nightingale, C 

Sergt. Thos. H. Humphries, E 

" William B. Jones, E 

" Thomas Smith, E 

" William Prentice,* E 

Private Robert Smith, A 

" Robert Brown, B 

" Daniel Harton, B 

WiUiam McHugh, B 

Job West, B 

" James McCall, C 

" Edward McDowell, C 

" Augustus G. Goodwin, C 

" Major Whiteside, D 

" William Burns, E 

" Thomas Collier, E 

" William Macklin, E 

" James Potts, E 

" Samuel Shannon, E 

" Frank P. McNeill, K 

Wou7ided. 

Major G. A. Woodward, f 

Capt. P. I. Smith, t K 

*' Horace Neide,t A 

Sergt. Daniel Craig, A 

" Thomas Crilly, H 

" David H. Pidgeon, K 

Corp. Joseph Lathrop, C 

'' John Collins, H 

John Phillips,! H 

Private George Larkins, B 

" George C. Barton, C 

Henry O'Neill, C 



Private Hugh Gillen, Co. C 

" Wilham McLane, D 

" Charles W. Schoeber, D 

" Edward Peplow, D 

" Christopher Grim, E 

*' James McKinney, E 

" Thomas Shaw, K 



Prisoners. 



Corp. 



AsherS McCully, C 

" John Conroy, C 

Private Edward V. McKee, C 

" Balthasar Steese, E 

" Thomas G. Burns, H 

Mus'n Thomas Hartman, K 

SECOND BULL EUN, OR THE 

PLAINS OF MANASSAS. 

Killed. 



Private Luke Carney, 

" Wilberforce Poulson, 



Wounded. 



Colonel 
Capt. 
1st Lt. 



O. Sgt. 

Sergt. 

Corp. 



Wilham McCandless. 

Daniel H. Connors, A 

John H. Jack, B 

John B. Robinson, C 

G. Harry Zeigler, B 

Henry Moore, C 

Samuel H. Garvin, B 

Edward Concannon, C 

" Thomas J. Wood, C 

Private George W. Kendel, D 

" George W. McMullan, E 

" Robert Patterson, E 

" Francis Colligan, H 

" Charles Weaver, H 

" James Baskerville, H 

" Joshua R. Cox, K 

Prisoners. 

Corp. Lambert Long.shore, A 

Private William Caleley, A 

" John C. Harrison, A 

" Richard Jefi'rics, A 

William W. Nelson, E 

" George W. Swancott, K 



* Died Kubsequently. 



t Taken prisoner. 



APPENDIX A. 



331 



SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 

Killed. 

Corp'l Wm. McClintock, Co. B 

" Edward Booth, E 

Private Charles Stump, C 

" Lawrence Keefe,* C 

" Gilbert McKeller, E 

" Augustus Sucker, G 

" William H. Sunpson, K 

Wounded. 

2d Lt. Kichard Clendinning, H 

O. Sgt, Staughton George, K 

Sergt. Richard P. Dillon, B 

Corp'l Robert Ferguson, E 

Private Alexander H. Brown, B 

" George MoUoy, B 

" Thomas Donnelly, B 

*' Francis Higgins, D 

" ■ Henry Brown, E 

*' Albert R. Reel, K 

ANTIETAM. 
Killed. 

Adju't Augustus T. Cross. 

2d Lt. Max Wimpfheimer, G 

Corp'l William McKecknie, E 

" Jeremiah Fritz,* G 

Private Thomas McMuUin, B 

*' Andrew J. Toy, K 

Wounded. 

Capt. Timothy Mealey, H 

C. Sgt. William J. Fulton, H 

O. *' Thomas Canavan, D 

Sergt. Albert G. Barton, A 

'' Robert R. Smith, D 

Corp'l Smith Barker, D 

Wilham H. K. Bush, G 

Private John Armstrong, A 

" Patrick Fadden, B 

" Thomas Rogerson, B 

" Thomas J. Brines, D 

" James Patton, E 

" JohnC Young, E 

" Lyman Price, G 



Private Charles Reagan, Co. G 

John A. Hull, G 

" Isaac Myers, -H 

Hiram F. Chew, K 

" George Gougler, K 

" William J. Manning, K 



FREDERICKSBURG. 



KUled. 




C. Sgt. William Derr, 


C 


Private Michael Brough, 


A 


Hugh Reilly, 


B 


" William Moore, 


B 


" Charles Devlin, 


C 


" A. P. Kennedy, 


G 


" Joseph Harter, 


G 


Wounded. 





O. Sgt. Daniel Craig, A 

" Michael A. Crowley, C 

Sergt. Robert Ferguson, C 

" James McCormick, E 

C. Cor. James F. Morrison,! K 

" Joseph F. Sweetou,t K 

Corp'l Asher S. McCuUy, C 

John S. Lytle, G 

Private William Schoenewald, A 

" Peter Cullin, B 

' ' John Hagan, B 

" Patrick Keely, B 

" Robert W. Davis, B 

" William Nickert, C 

Hugh Gillen, C 

" John Devlin, C 

" Louis Davis, D 

" William Chandler, E 

" L. Detwiler, E 

" Christopher Grim, E 

" A. Blankhorn, G 

" J. Shoemaker, G 

" Jno. Shalck, G 

" F. Bitterman, G 

" Wilham Robb, H 

" James Baskerville, H 

" George Seddall,t H 

" Charles Hanf, K 



Died subaequeatly. 



•f Taken prisoner. 



332 



OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



Prisoners. 

Sergt. Hiram C. Hostetter, Co. Gr 

Corp'l Wiiiiam Brighton, G 

Private William McDowell, B 

" George Blackwell, H 

PICKET ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 

Wounded. 

Capt. Timothy Mealey, H 

aETTTSBUEG. 

Killed. 

Sergt. Thomas M. Savage, H 

C. Cor. H. W. Linsenmeyers,* E 

Corp'l George Stewart,* E 

Private Thomas Burns, B 

" John R. Querey,* E 

"■ Alexander Hofter,* F 

" George Moyer,* F 

" Martin H. Riggle,* F 

" Samuel B. Steward, F 

" Andrew Ryan, H 

Wounded. 

Capt. Wm. D. Reitzel, G 

1st Lt. James C. Manton, B 
Sgt. mj. D. Harris Pidgeon, 

N. C. Staff. 

C. Sgt. James Toomey, D 

Sergt. G. W. Cassiday, F 

C. Cor. William H. Nolan, C 

Corp'l S. W. Ryan, B 

" Samuel A. Souder, F 

Private Adam Erford, C 

" William Keefe, C 

" , Edward Louge, C 

" Henry Guy, D 

" Charles F. Miller, D 

" Samuel Dunlap, E 

" John Wilson, E 

" John Hoover, F 

" William Brown, F 

" Peter Bowman, F 

" M. Bowman. F 

John B. Webb, F 

" Robinson T. Sherman, F 



Private Jacob Carter, Co 


. G 


" Adam Erline, 


G 


" Park J. Stackhouse, 


G 


" John Hart, 


G 


" Thomas G. Burns, 


H 


" Henry McGarvey, 


H 


" John Seadinger, 


H 


" Oliver Wilson, 


H 


BRISTOE STATION, OCT. 14, 1863. 


Wounded. 




Corp'l Samuel A. Louder, f 


F 


Private George Graham, 


A 


Prisoner. 




Private Robert Patterson,* 


E 



NEW HOPE CHURCH. 

Killed. 

Private Thomas G. Burns, H 

MINE RUN. 

Wounded. 
Capt. Daniel H. Connors, A 

Prisoner. 
Private John Labold, F 

BRISTOE station; JAN. 24, 1864. 

Wounded. 
Private John Hoover, F 

BRISTOE STATION, MAR. 27, 1864. 

Killed. 
Private William Lindsay, F 

THE WILDERNESS, MAY 5, 1864. 

Killed. 

Sergt. John A. Hull, G 

Wounded. 

Sergt. James B. Read, F 

Corp'l W. H. K. Bush,t G 



* Died subsequently. 



t Taken prisoner. 



APPENDIX A. 



833 



Prisoners. 

Surg'n E. Donnelly, Staff 

Capt. James N. Byrnes, Co. C 
IstLt. John Taylor, E 

O. Sgt. Michael Crowley, C 

Private William A. Nickert, C 
John P. Schalck, G 

THE WILDERNESS, MAT 7, 1884. 

Wounded. 
Capt. P. I. Smith, K 

SPOTTSTLVANIA COURT HOUSE, 

MAY 8, 1864. 

Killed. 

O. Sgt. Martin Divme, G 

Sergt. Rudolph M. Graff, G 
Private Adam Erline, G 

Wounded. 

Colonel Wm. McCandless, 

Com'g brigade. 

SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, 
MAY 10, 1864. 

Killed. 

Private Adam Gehrett,* F 

" Abraham L. Smith, F 

Wounded. 

Corp'l John Smith, F 

Private Joseph C. Curfman, F 

" Marshal Houck, F 

Prisoner. 

Private George J. Halsel, F 



SPOTTSYLVANIA- COURT HOUSE, 

MAY 12, 1864. 

Killed. 

1st Lt. Robert J. Clark,* F 

Private William Henry, E 

Alfred Cherry, F 

' ' Robinson T. Sherman, * F 

Wounded. 



1st Lt. 


John B. Robinson, 


C 


Sergt. 


Charles C. Uj)jolm, 


K 


Corp'l 


David Cassiday, 


F 


Private Austin Thompson, 


F 




William S. Wall, 

MAY 24, 1864. 
Prisoner. 


F 


Lieut. 


James C. Justus, 

REAM'S STATION.t 
Wounded. 


K 


Sergt. 


John Donnelly, 


H 


Dru'r 


George W. Leeti, 
Prisoners. 


H 


Lieut. 


A. McK. Storrie, 


B 


Sergt. 


John McDonough, 


B 


u 


Wilham Brighton, 


G 


(( 


Thomas Fitzsimmons, 


B 


Corp'l 


Edward Leatherberry 


, A 


Private Elmer E. Large, 


A 


u 


Steward Graham, 


A 


u 


John Elliott, 


B 


(( 


Charles Eckhart, 


G 


l( 


Michael Ernswiler, 


G 


i( 


Benjamin Hartman, 


G 


u 


Joseph Grab, 


G 


(( 


Jacob Harnish, 


G 


(( 


John Lytle, 


G 



* Died subsequently. 

t This battle was fought after the time of th« regiment was out, and the men had 
been transferred to the 191st Regt. P. R. V. V. C. 



APPENDIX B. 



EOSTEE of the Second Eegiment Infantry, Pennsylvania Eeserve 
Volunteer Corps, Thirty-first of the line, with date of commission. 

PIEliD OFFICERS. 

Colonels. 

William B. Mann, April 24, 1861. Resigned October 30, 1861. 
William McCandless, November 1, 1861. Wounded at Second Bull 
Run and Wilderness. 

Lieutenant- Colonels. 

Albert L. Ma^iHon, June 21, 1861. Resigned October 3, 1861. 
William McCandless, October 24, 1861. To Colonel. 
George A. Woodward, June 30, 1862. To Invalid Corps, August 
24, 1863. To Colonel, Twenty-second Regiment, V. R. C. 
Patrick McDonough, August 25, 1863. 

Majors. 

WiF/iam McCandless, June 21, 1861. To Lieutenant-Colonel. 
George A. Woodward, April 2, 1862. To Lieutenant-Colonel. 

, Wounded and taken prisoner at Glendale, June 30, 1863. 
Horace Neide, June 30, 1862. Honorably discharged on account 

of disability, November 25, 1862. 
Patrick McDonough, November 26, 1862. To Lieutenant-Colonel. 
R. Elhs, October 28, 1863. 

STAFF OFFICERS. 

Adjutants. 

Horace Neide, October 1861. To major. 

Augustus T. Cross, April 5, 1862. Killed at Antietam, September 

16, 1862. 
E. M. Woodward, September 18, 1862. Honorably discharged on 

account of disability, September 22, 1863. 
J'ohn L. Rhodes, September 23, 1863. 

Quartermasters. 

Charles F. Hoyt, June 22. 1861. To captain and commissary sub- 
sistence, July 1, 1862. 
William A. Hoyt, January 6, 1863. 
(334) 



APPENDIX B. , 335 

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 

Surgeons. 

Thomas B. Reed, June 6, 1861. To brigade surgeon volunteers, 

April 20, 1862. 
Edward Donnelly, April 28, 1863. 

Assistant Surgeons. 

John W. Lodge, June 6, 1861. Resigned Decembers, 1861. 

John Malone, January 7, 1862. To surgeon, 71st regiment, P. V., 

November 4, 1862. 
A. G. Coleman, July 31, 1862. 

D. W. Bashore, September 13, 1862. Discharged November 22, 

1862. 

E. Owen Jackson, December 17, 1862. Died August, 1863. 

Sergeant Majors. 

Augustus T. Cross, June 21, 1861. To adjutant. 

E. M. Woodward, May 1, 1862. To adjutant, 

Joseph Benison, January 1, 1863. To second lieutenant Com- 
pany H. 

David H. Pidgeon, June 8, 1863. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 
1863. 

Iliram C. Hostetter, July 10, 1863. Died near Rectors Town, Va., 
July 24, 1863. 

Andrew McK. Storric, January 1, 1864. To second lieutenant, 
191st regiment, P. V. V. 

Quartermaster's Sergeants. 

Wesley Mann, June — , 1861. Honorably discharged on account of 
disability, July, 1861. 

John L. Benson, August 1, 1861. To second lieutenant, 191st regi- 
ment, P. V. V. 

Commissary Sergeant. 

William A. Hoyt, August, 1861. To quartermaster. 
George W. Fernon, February 1, 1863. 

Company A. 

Captains. 

George A. Woodward, April 24, 1861. To major. 

Horace Neide, April 2, 1862. To major. Wounded and taken 

prisoner at Glendale. 
Daniel H. Connors, June 30, 1862. Wounded at Mechanicsville 

and Second Bull Run. 



336 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Piobert H. Lowclen, April 24, 1861. Eesigned December 6, 1861. 
Horace Neide, December 7, 1^1. To captain. 
Daniel H. Conners, April 8, 1863. To captain. 
John J. Ross, June 30, 1862. 

Second Lieutenants. 

Horace Neide, April 24, 1861. To first lieutenant. 
John J. Ross, December 16, 1861. To first lieutenant 
Daniel Craig, May 3, 1863. 

Orderly Sergeants. 

John J. Ross. To second lieutenant. 

Daniel H. Conners. To first lieutenant. 

Daniel Craig. To second lieutenant. Wounded at Glendale and 

Fredericksburg. 
George F. Buehler. 

Sergeants. 

Joseph Vanosten. • 

James Lynch. 

George Drew. 

William F. Huplet. 

Albert G. S. Barton. Wounded at Antietam. Honorably dis- 
charged. 

Isaac C. Sharp. Honorably discharged on account of disability. 
Wounded and prisoner at Gaines' Mills. 

George Fowler. Honorably discharged on account of disability. 
Wounded and prisoner Mechanicsville. 

William Aiken. Reenlisted. 

*Winiam Wood. 

Co7y orals. 

Michael Brough. Wounded and prisoner at Fredericksburg, Dec. 
13, 1862. Reenlisted. 

.Tames Lewis. Reenhsted. 

George Rossi rer. Color corporal. 

Lambert Longshore. 

Jacob Lugend. Woimded and prisoner at Mechanicsville, honora- 
bly discharged. 

Charles Day. Killed at Gaines Mills, June 27, 1862. 

Isaiah McCaulcy. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. 

William J. Drain. Wounded and prisoner at Mechanicsville, June 
26, 1862. 

Musicians. 
John Clingman. 
John Burns. Reenlisted. 



APPENDIX B. 33i 



Privates. 



Armstrong, J'ohn. Wounded at Antietum. Discharged to enter the 
Regular Army. 

Bright, Andrew J. Detailed at Division hospital. 

CalTelly, William. 

Cockrell, James. 

Craig, David. Honorably discharged for disability, August 19, 1861. 

Devine, Charles. Reeulisled. 

Drain, Samuel. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. 

Ettinger, William J. 

Goetell, Daniel. Died in hospital, 1862. 

Goldey, Joseph. Detached in S.gnal Corps, August, 1861. 

Graham, George. Reen5sted. 

Graham, Joseph. Died, August 28, 1862. 

Graham, Stuart. Reenlisted. Taken prisoner at Ream's Station. 

Gray, Joseph. Honorably discharged on account of disability, March, 
1862. 

Gray, Leander. Honorably discharged on account of disability, 
March, 1862. 

Haney, John. Taken prisoner. Honorably discharged on account 
of disability, September, 1862. 

Harrison, John. 

Hay, John. Reenlisted. 

Hess, William. Died, September, 1861. ^ 

Hoff, William. Wounded and prisoner at Mechanicsville. Hon- 
orably discharged, September, 1862. 

Holmes, William. Died at Bristoe Station, April, 1862. 

Hubbard, Frederick. Honorably discharged, September, 1862. 

Jamison, William. Transferred to serve out time. 

Jefferies, Richard, Jr. Reenlisted. 

Jefferies, Richard, Sr. Honorably discharged, August, 1861. 

*Kenny. Raphael. 

Kernan, John. Wounded and prisoner at Mechanicsville. Hon- 
orably discharged, March, 1863. 

Kirkwood, Robert. Wounded and prisoner at Mechanicsville. Hon- 
orably discharged, January, 1864. 

Large, Elmer E. Reenhsted. Taken prisoner at Ream's Station. 

Leatherberry, Edward. Reenlisted. Prisoner at Ream's Station. 

Lukens, John. Drowned. February, 1863. 

Mann, Wesley. Honorably discharged, August, 1861. 

McCallins, John. Died, September, 1862. 

McGrans, James. Wounded and prisoner at Mechanicsville, June 
26, 1862. 

Miller, John. 

Neide, Carroll. Transferred to Signal Corps to serve out time. 

Price, James. Honorably discharged, 1862. 

Quigley. Albert. 

Rowbotham, Wilham. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1863. 

Saycrs, Matthew. 

22 



338 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Schoenewald, William. Wounded at Mechanicsville and Fredericks- 
burg. 

Schultz, William. 

Scott, Charles 0. Reenlisted. 

Pearins, Theodore. 

Smith, Robert. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Stuart, Herfry. Sunstruck blind. Honorably discharged, July 20, 
1861. 

Sweeney, John. Honorably discharged, August 4, 1861. 

*Townsend, Edward. 

Trexler, David. 

Wade, John. Honorably discharged, 1862. 

West, James. Discharged to enter the Regular Army. 

Williams, Benjamin F. Transferred to serve out time, 

Williams, John. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. 

Wolfe, Charles. Honorably discharged, 1862. 

Company B. 

Gaptaiiis. * 

Patrick McDonough, April 20, 1861. "^o major. 
John H. Jack, November 26. 1862. To captain 186th Pennsylvania 
volunteers. 

First Lieutenants. 

John D. Schock, April 20, 1861. Honorably discharged, August 

27, 1861. 
John H. Jack, September 2, 1861. To captain. 
James C. Manion, November 26, 1862. Died, January 13, 1864. 
John Cullin, January 14, 1864 Transferred to the 191st regiment, 

Pennsylvania volunteers. 

Second Lieutenants. 

John Gill, April 20, 1861. Honorably discharged, August 27, 1861. 
James C. Manton, September 2, 1861. To first lieutenant. 

'First Sergeant. 

Henry G. Ziegler. Wounded at Bull Run. To lieutenant 22d regi- 
ment Veteran Reserves. 

Sergeants. 

Richard Dillon. Wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862. 
Thomas Stanton. Discharged for disability, December 26, 1862. 
James McHale. 
Alexander H. Brown. 

Dennis Maguire. Wounded at Mechanicsville. Discharged, March, 
1864. 



APPENDIX B. 839 

Adolpli Louis Scliullz. Reenlisted. 

John McDonougli. Reenlisted. Prisoner at Ream's Station. 

Corporals. 
Jolin Wilson, Jr. 

John McClintock. Killed at South Mountain. 
Andrew McK. Storrie. To sergeant-major. Reenlisted. Prisoner 

at Ream's Station. 
Samuel W. Ryan. Reenlisted. 
Thomas McFall. Color corporal. 

Musicians. 
James Loftus. 
Edwin A. Snyder. Reenlisted. 

Privates. 
Brown, James. 

Brown, Robert. Killed at Charles City Cross-roads. 
Burk, John. 
Burues, Thomas. 
Carnly, Luke. 

Carr, John. Discharged for disability, September 29, 1862. 
Coy, Michael. Discharged for disabiUty, February 17, 1862. 
Crawford, William. Reenlisted. 
Cullen, Peter. 

Curry, Owen. Discharged for disability, February 17, 1862. 
Darragh, William. \ 

Davis, Garret B. Reenlisted. 

Dillon, John P. Discharged for disability, .January 15, 1863. 
Dugan, James. Discharged for disability, July 9, 1862. 
Elliott, John. Taken prisoner at Ream's Station. 
Fitzsimmons, James. 
Filzsimmons, Thomas. To sergeant 191st Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Taken prisoner at Ream's Station. 
Freil, James. Discharged for disability, February 17, 1862. 
Garvin, Samuel H. Discharged for disabiUty, October 26, 1862. 
Gillespie, James. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. 
Gilloly, John. 
Gillette, Ignatz. 
Harding, Charles. 

Hart, John. Discharged for disability, January 30, 1863. 
Harton, Daniel. 
Keener, Jacob. Reenlisted. 
Keeny, William. 
Kettler, John. 
Larkins, George. 
Laughlin, George. Reenlisted. 

Lyttle, Thomas. Killed at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862. 
May, John P. 



340 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Melville, Cornelius. 
Molloy, George. 
Monahan, Cornelius. 
Moore, John B. Reenlisted. 
Moor, William. 

Murphy, James. Discharged for disability, December 31, 1863. 
McConaghy, John. 
McDermott, Patrick. 
*McFadden, Timothy. 

McGinley, Charles. Discharged for disability, February 22, 1862. 
McHugh, Wilham. 
McMullin, Thompson. 
Reed, Thomas. 
^Richard, Augustus. 

Shaw, John. Wounded at Mechanics ville, June 26, 1862. 
Sipple, Joseph. Reenlisted. 
Toomey, William. 
Walls, John. 
West, Job. 
White, Richard. 
Wilson, John, Sr. Reenlisted. 

Rizenhart, Jonas. Discharged for physical disability, February 17, 
1862. 

Company C. 

Captain. 

James N. Byrnes, April 29, 1861. Taken prisoner at Wilderness, 
May 5, 1854. 

First Lieutenant. 

John B. Robinson, April 29, 1861. Wounded at Second Bull Run, 
and Wilderness, May 12, 1864. 

Second Lieutenants. 

Francis Fox, April 29, 1861. Resigned August 8, 1861. 

James R. Nightingale, November 4, 1861. Killed at Glendale, June 

30, 1862. 
Andrew Casey, June 30, 1862. 

Orderly Sergeants. 

James R. Nightingale. To second lieutenant. 
Andrew Casey. To second lieutenant. 

Michael Crowley. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Taken prisoner 
at Wilderness, 

Sergeants. 

Henry Moore. Wounded at Giinos' Mills nnd Bull Run. 

Robert Ferguson. Wounded at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 



APPENDIX B. 34rl 

George C. Barton Wounded at Glendale, June 30, 1862. To first 

lieutenant 192d regiment Pennsylvania volunteers. 
Charles Nickert. Wounded and prisoner at Meclianicsville. 

Corporals. 

Edward E. McKee. 

E. C. Concannon. Wounded at Bull Run. To Invalid Corps, No- 
vember 10, 1863. 

William H. Nolan Color corporal. Wounded at Gettysburg. To 
Invalid Corps, 

Asher S. McCully. Wounded at Fredericksburg, December 13, 
1862. 

Jolin Morris. Honorably discharged, December 6, 1862. 

Thomas Wood. Wounded at Bull Run. Discharged December 21, 
1862. 

Joseph G. Cline. Reenlisted. 

James A. Thompso;i. Wounded at Gaines' Mill. Discharged. 

Archibald McCann. Reenlisted. 

William Derr. Color bearer. Killed at Fredericksburg. 

Joseph Lathrop. Wounded at Glendale, June 30, 1862. Discharged 

Musician. 
Josiah Wagoner. Appointed chief musician, February 1, 1863. 

Privates. 

Axe, Frederick. Discharged to enter battery M, Second United 
States Artillery. 

Caldwell, Matthew. Discharged to enteabattery M, Second United 
States Artillery. 

*Carrigan, John. 

Conroy, John. Discharged to enter battery M, Second United 
States Artillery, 

Davis, Thomas. Honorably discharged, August 8th, 1861. 

Devlin, Charles, Killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 

Devlin, John. Wounded at Fredericksburg. To Invalid Corps, 
December 10, 1863, 

Dolan, John, 

Duval, George, Honorably discharged, August 8, 1861, 

Erlbrd, Adam, Wounded at Gettysburg, To captain. One hun- 
dred and Ninety-second Regiment, P. V, 

Fernon, George W, To commissary sergeant, February 1, 1863. 

Fredericks, Reuben. Honorably discharged, May 10, 1862. 

Furgeson, John. 

Gaff, William F. Wounded at Mechanicsville, Discharged, April 
21, 1863. 

Gaffigan, John. 

Gillon, Hugh, Wounded at Glendale and Fredericksburg. 

Goodwin, Augustus G. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 



342 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Harris, George. Wounded at Gaines' Mill. Discharged to enter 
battery M, Second United States Artillery. 

Hess, William. Reenlisted. 

Kane, Michael. 

Keefe, Lawrence. Killed at South Mountain. 

Keefe, William. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Kelly, Michael. 

Lawson, James. Honorably discharged, May 24, 1863. 

Logue, Edward. Wounded at Gettybburg. To Invalid Corps, 
October 29, 1863. 

Mack, John. Honorably discharged, August 8, 1861. 

McCall, James. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

McDowell, Edward. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

McKeegan, William. Honorably discharged. 

McLain, William. Wounded at Gaines' MilJ, June 27, 1862. 

Miller, William. 

Moore, Edward J. Reenlisted. 

Murphy, John. Wounded at Gaines' Mill. Discharged December 
29, 1862. 

Nightingale, Joseph. Died in Richmond, July 12, 1862, of wounds 
received at Mechanicsville. 

Nickert, William A. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Missing at 
Wilderness. 

O'Donaghue, Timothy. Died, 1863. 

O'Neil, Henry. Wouncfed at Glendale, Juue 30, 1862. 

Picket, Michael. Honorably discharged, March 31, 1862. 

Scanlan, Charles. Discharged to enter battery M, Second United 
States Artillery. 

Scarlett, Howard. 

Schreaves, Francis. Honorably discharged. 

Sigenthall, George. Discharged to enter battery M, Second United 
States Artillery. 

Simpkins, Lewis. 

Smith, Aaron. Honorably discharged. 

Stump, Charles. Wounded at Gaines' Mill. Killed at South Moun- 
tain. 

Toomey, James. 

Vanhook, Edward. To Invalid Corps, October 29, 1863. 

Ward, Thomas. Died, March 19, 1863, of wounds received at 
Mechanicsville. 

Wright, John. Honorably discharged, February, 25, 1863. 



Company D. 

Captains. 



Richard Ellis, April 16, 1861. To major. 
Thomas Canavau, November 11, 1863. 



APPENDIX B. 343 

First Lieutenants. 

John M. Curley, April 16, 1861. Honorably discharged on account 

of disability, November 25, 1862. 
Thomas Canavan, May 9, 1863. To captain. 
Robert R. Smith, February 17, 1864. 

Second Lieutenants. 

George Young, April 16, 1861. Honorably discharged, December 

3, 1862. 
Robert R. Smith. To first lieutenant. 

Orderly Sergeants. 

Samuel L. McKinney, Discharged, 1862. 

Thomas Canavan. To first lieutenant. Wounded at Antietam. 

John S. Firth. Appointed May 8, 1863. 

Sergeants. 

James Toomey. Color sergeant. Wounded at Mechanicsville and 

Gettysburg. To Invalid Corps. 
Robert R. Smith. To second lieutenant. Wounded at Antietam. 
John Grady. Appointed August 1, 1862. 
William H. Dick. Honorably discharged, June 14, 1863. 
David A. Nuttall. Died, August 23, 1862. 
*Edward Sherry. 

Philip S. Young. Appointed April 1, 1863. 
Samuel Hopkins. Appointed February 1, 1864. 
John Jones. Appointed February 1, 1864. 

^ Corporals. 

Smith Barker. Wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862. 
George W. Kendel. Wounded at Bull Run, August 29, 1863. 
John S. McBride. Wounded at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1863. 
John Sagee. Appointed June 1, 1863. 
Jacob Kreiss. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1863. 

Musician. 

Conner, William. Dishonorably discharged, 1863. 

Privates. 

Ailken, George W. Wounded at Mechanicsville. Honorably dis- 
charged, November, 1862. 

Alexander, Samuel. 

Atkinson, Robert. Reenlisted. 

Baker, Albert C. Discharged to enter battery C, Fifth United 
States Artillery. 



344 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Barforcl, Jos. A. Honorably discharged. November, 1863. 

Basset t, Samuel. Discharged to enter battery C, Fifth United States 
Artillery. 

Blight, Jacob L. Wounded at Mechanicsville. Honorably dis- 
charged, August 27, 1862. 

Bogia, Frederick F. 

Bouvier, William. 

Brines, Thomas J. Wounded at Antietam. Honorably discharged, 
December, 1862. 

Brines, William. Honorably discharged, January, 1863, 

Burgoon, Andrew. Reenlisted. 

Clark, Gaven B. Honorably discharged, December 30, 1863. 

Cope, Morris. 

Covert, Isaac. To Invalid Corps, 1863. 

Davis, Louis. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Reenlisted. 

Dooling, Jeremiah. 

Dungan, Levi. Honorably discharged, August 20, 1862. 

Fisher, Joseph L. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. 

Gardner, Asa C. Honorably discharged. May 15, 1862. 

Glass, James. Discharged to enter battery C, Fifth United States 
Artillery. 

Graham, Henry. To Invalid Corps. 

Guy, Henry. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 

Hackett, Thomas. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1863. 

HafFey, Charles. Drowned, July 23d, 1861. 

Hamilton, William. Reenlisted. 

*Harberger, John. 

Harbison, James. Died, August 1, 1862. 

*Hilt, Aaron. 

Iliggins, Francis. Wounded at South Mountain. Honorably dis- 
charged, December, 1862. 

*Houston, Marcus. 

Huly, William. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 36, 1863. 

Kelley, John. Reenlisted. 

Laws, Anthony A. Wounded at Mechanicsville. Honorably dis- 
charged, October 24, 1862. 

Lauer, James. 

Luckman, Edward. 

'•^McEuen, Samuel. 

McLane, William. Wounded at Glendale, June 30, 1863. 

McNamee, Joseph. Reenlisted. 

*Maines, James. 

Miller, Charles F. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 8, 1863. 

Mintzer, Andrew. Discharged to enter the Navy. 

Morgan, James D. Discharged to enter battery C, Fifth United 
States Artillery. 

Norris, Richard. Discharged to enter battery C, Fifth United States 
Artillery. 

O'Knne, James. Wounded at Mechanicsville. 

Palmer, Johii. 



APPENDIX B. 8i5 

Parr, William K 

Patterson, Amos. Honorably discharged, November 21, 1862. 

Peplow, Edward. Wounded at Glendale. Discharged January 8, 

1863. 
Reilly, John J. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1863. 
Robmson, Benjamin. 
Schoeber, Charles W. Wounded at Glendale. Discharged, De<!em- 

ber,.ll 1862. 
Shubert, John. 

Smith, J. A. C. J. Detailed at Division Commissary. 
Smith, Robert J. Died, September 13, 1862. 
Steele, Joseph. Reenlisted. 
Thompson, William. 
*Tozier, James. 
Vorhees, Albert B. 
Walters, Henry. 

AVeller, William. Transferred to serve out time. 
Wence, William. 

Whiteman, George. Killed at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. 
Whiteside, Major. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 
^Williams, James. 

Company E. 

Captain. 

J.OiT Finnic, April 16, 1861. Wounded and prisoner at Gaines' 
Mill. Appointed Provost Marshal of Philadelphia, October 
6, 1862. 

First Lieutenants. 

J. Baxter Fletcher, April 16, 1861. Killed at Glendale, June 80, 1862. 
John Taylor, May 9, 1863. Appointed Aid-de-camp, Taken priso- 
ner at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

Second Lieutenants. 

Alexander Black, April 16, 1861. Honorably discharged, October 

25, 1862. 
Andrew McLean, May 9, 1863. 

Orderly Sergeants. 

John Taylor. To first lieutenant. 
Andrew McLean. To second lieutenant. 
George H. Morrow. Appointed May 9, 1863. 

Sergeants. 

James McCotmick. Appointed August, 1862. 
John Reid. Appointed January, 1863. 
William Mawhmney. Appointed May 9, 1863. 



846 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

John Ringland. Appointed September 1, 1863. 

James Stewart. Wounded and prisoner at Gaines' Mills, Honorably 
diseharged. 

Robert Ferguson. Wounded at South Mountain. Honorably dis- 
charged. 

Michael McCauley. Reenlisted. 

Thomas H. Humphries. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1863. 

William Prentice. Died of wounds received at Glendale, June 30, 
1862. 

Robert Linsenmeyer. Color corporal. Killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 
1863. 

*James Wilson. 

Corporals. 

James Nicholson. 

Balthasar Steese. 

John C. Young. Wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862. Hon- 
orably discharged. 

Robert Hill. HonorabJy discharged, December 11, 1863. 

James Patton. Wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862. Hon- 
orably discharged. 

William B. Jones. KiRed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Thomas Smith. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Andrew Beckett Color corporal. Died of wounds received at 
Gaines' Mill. 

Edward Booth. Killed at South Mountain, September 14, 1862. 

William McKechnie. Killed at Antietam, September 17th, 1862, 

George Stewart. Died of wounds received at Gettysburg, July 26, 
1863. 

Musician. 

John McLaughlin. Honorably discharged, February 25, 1863. 

Privates. 

Aitken, Julius C. Wounded at Mechanicsville. Honorably dis- 
charged. 

Brown, Henry. Wounded at South Mountain. Honorably discharged 

Birnie, George. Honorably discharged. December 17, 1862. 

Burns, William. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Collier, Thomas. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Chandler, George. Reenhsted. 

Chandler, Wilham. Wounded at Fredericksburg, December 13, 
1862. 

^Cunningham, James. 

Catanach, John A. Discharged to accept a commission. 

Detwiler, Leonard. Wounded at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 
Reenlisted. 

Dunlap, Samuel. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Reenlisted. 

Elder, Thomas. Reenhsted. 



APPENDIX B. 3-i7 

Fry, Henry. Reenlisted. 

Ferkler, Frank H. Honorably discharged for disability. 

Grim, Christopher. Wounded and prisoner at Glendale and Freder- 
icksburg. Honorably discharged. 

Grier, James. 

Graham, James. Died of wounds received at Mechanicsville. 

Henry, William. Killed at Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864. 

Hamilton, Leslie W. Honorably discharged, Dec^mt)er 22, 18.G2. 

Harvey, Cassius P. Wounded and prisoner at Gaines' Mills. Hon- 
orably discharged, 

Howard, John. Honorably discharged for disability, November 28, 
1862. 

King, Peter. Reenlisted. 

Leiglit, Andrew M. Reenlisted. 

Leight, James H. Reenlisted. 

Lindsay, Joseph H. 

Lappin, John. Honorably discharged for disability. 

Laird, Samuel. Honorably discharged for disability. 

McAdams, William. 

McAllister, Archibald. 

McCall, Archibald. 

McCall, Alexander. Honorably discharged for disability, August 30, 
1862. 

McDonald, William. Wounded and prisoner at Gaines' Mills. Hon- 
orably discharged; 

McFarland, William. Wounded and prisoner at Mechanicsville. 

McGarvey, Samuel. Drowned in James river, August 16, 1862. 

McHenry, Joseph. 

McKeller, Gilbert. Killed at South Mountain, September 14, 1862. 

McKinney, James. Wounded at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

McMichael, William. 

McMillan, George. Wounded at Bull Run. Honorably discharged, 
May 24, 1862. 

*Mackey, Thomas. 

Macklin, William. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862 

Markley, William. Reenlisted. 

Morrison, James. Reenlisted. 

Morrison, Wilham. 

Nelson, William. 

Patterson, Robert. Wounded at Bull Run. Taken prisoner at Bris- 
toe Station. Dead. 

Potts, James. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Query, John R. Died of wounds received at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Roadermel, Christian A. Reenlisted. 

Shannon, Samuel. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Simpson, Joseph. Killed at Mechanicsvlle, June 26, 1862. 

Smith, Charles H. Honorably discharged, February 24, 1863. 

Stewart, Samuel. Wounded at . Honorably discharged. May 

24, 1863. 

*Tweedle, Edward. 



348 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

*Tweed]e, John. 

*Tweedle, William. 

Wallace, George M. Discharged for minority. 

Ward, Samuel. 

Wlielan, John. 

White, Calhoun. Killed at Mechanicsville, June 26, 1863. 

Wilson, John. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Wilson, James W. 

Company F. 

Captains. 

T. F. Bringhurst, April 20, 1861. Honorably discharged, August 

27, 1861. 
J. E. Barnacle, May 14, 1862, Resigned. 
John M. Clark, August 1, 1862. 

Fird Lieutenants. 

Geo. W. Kite, April 20, 1861. Honorably discharged August 27, 

1861. 
John M. Clark. To captain. 
Robert J. Clark. November 23, 1862. Wounded at Wilderness. 

Died June 9, 1864. 

Second Lieutenants. 

Wm. Edwards, April 20, 1861. Honorably discharged, August 27, 

1861. 
Isaac Mourer, May 14, 1862. Dismissed. 
Robert J. Clark. To first lieutenant. 
William Ambrose, May 1-, 1863. 

Orderly Sergeants. 

Wm. Ambrose. To second lieutenant. 
James T. Moore. 

Sergeants. 

Wilham H. Wilgis. Died in hospital, November 16, 1862. 

Harrison Cressman. 

James B. Reed. Wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

Thomas S. Coleman. 

Charles E. Laub. 

Corporals. 

John Smith. Wounded at Wilderness, May 10, 1864. 
Philip Kraft. 

David Cassidy. Wounded at Wilderness, May 12, U864. 
Christopher Souders. 



APPENDIX B. 349 

Samuel A. Louder. Taken prisoner at Bristoe Station, October 14, 

1863. * 

William B. Snyder. 
Nicholas Hubert. 



John Mace. 



Drummer. 



Privates. 



Black, Samuel. Drowned in Rappahannock river, September 3, 

1863. 
Burns, John. 

Bowman, Peter. "Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. 
Bowman, Michael. 
Bressler, Mahlon H. 

Brown, William. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 
Beatty, Oscar. Discharged for disability, June 10, 1862. 
Cornelius, David. 
Carter, William B. 
Chartres, William. 

Cherry, Alfred. Killed at Wilderness, May 12, 1864. 
Cornelius, Isaac. 

Curfman, Joseph C. Wounded at Wilderness, May 10, 1864. 
Cassidy, George W. 
Decker, William S. 
Delaney, Daniel. 
Davis, John P. 
Figart, Andrew M. 
Gehrett, Adam. Wounded at Wilderness, May 10, 1864. Died, 

May 16, 1864. 
Glunt, William C. 
Green, Benjamin F. 

Green, Martin. Transferred to serve out time. 
Hoover, John, Wounded at Bristoe, January 24, 1864. Discharged, 

June 17, 1864. 
Houck, Marshall. Wounded at Wilderness, May 10, 1864. 
Halsel, George J. Taken prisoner, May 10, 1864. 
Hollingshead, John. 
Hoffer, Alexander. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Died, 

July 22, 1863. 
Holl, Adolphus. Discharged for disability, September 2, 1862. 
Hopkins, Wm. M. 

Lindsay, William. Killed at Bristoe, March 27, 1864. 
Labold, John. Taken prisoner at Mine Run, November — 1863. 
Maurer, Abraham. f 

Moyer, George. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Died, 

July 26, 1863. 
Moore, William. 
Murty, James T. 



850 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Meadeville, Joshua. 

Phillips, Patrick. 

Quarry, Alfred. Transferred to serve out time. 

Quarry, Levi. 

Quarry, Michael. Transferred to serve out time. 

Reid, William J. 

Ping, Charles P. Discharged for disability, Fehruary 10, 1863. 

Rutherford, James. 

Riggle, Martin A. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Died, 

August 19, 1863. 
Riggleman, Jonathan. 
Shank, Nicholas. 

Stewart, Samuel. Killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 
Smith, Abraham L. Killed at Wilderness, May 10, 1864. 
Sneath, Robert. 

Straitliff, John. Transferred to serve out time. 
Sharrow, William. 
Sherman, Robinson T. Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Wounded at Wilderness, May 13, 1864. Died, June 3, 

1864. 
Shaffer, Jonathan. Transferred to serve out time. 
Steele, Louden. ^ 

Thompson, Austin. Wounded at Wilderness, May 12, 1864. 
Treawe, Elihu. Transferred to serve out time. 
Vanzant, Wm. R. 

Wall, William S. Wounded at Wilderness, May 12, 1864. 
Webb, John B. Wounded at Gettysburg. 

Webb, Henry. Drowned in Rappahannock river. May 27, 1862. 
Wright, John F. 
Wright, Levi. Discharged for disability, September 16, 1862. 



Company G. 

Captains. 

E. M. Woodward, April 20, 1861. Honorably discharged, August 

27, 1862. 
W"m. D. Reitzel. July, 1862. Resigned, December 7, 1863. To 

Captain one hundred days men. 

First Lieutenants. 

Henry Sheetz, April 20, 1861. To aide-de-camp to General McCall. 
John K. Brown, July 20, 1861. Honorably discharged, August 27, 

1862. 
John L. Rhoads, March 20, 1862. To adjutant, September 23, 1863. 

Second Lieutenants. 
John K. Brown, April 20, 1861. To first heutenant. 



APPENDIX B. 851 

Charles F. Hoyt, July IG, 1861. To captain and commissary sub- 
sistence, volunteers. 

Max Wimpt heimer, July 2, 1862. Killed at Antietam, September 
17, 1862. 

Elisha P. Woodward, September 17, 1862. To captain company C, 
191st regiment, Pennsylvania veteran volunteers. 

Orderly ■ Sergeants. 

Abram H. Witmer. Died April, 1863. 

Elisha P. Woodward. To second lieutenant, September 17, 1862. 

Martin Devine. Killed at Spottsylvania Court House. 

Sergeants. 

Hiram C. Hostetter. To sergeant major. Died, July 24, 1863. 

George L. Myers. 

George Brittain. To hospital steward. 

Frederick K. Ort. 

John A. Hull. Wounded at Antietam. Killed at Spottsylvania 

Court House. 
Rudolph M. Graetf. Killed at Spottsylvania Court House. 
WilUam Brighton. Taken prisoner Ream's Station. 

Corporals. 

*Charles W. Stout. 

Wm. H. K. Bush. Wounded at Antietam. Wounded and prisoner 
at Spottsylvania Court House. 

Charles Gartner. 

John A. Ziegler. Died August, 1862. 

John Lytle. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Prisoner at Ream's 
Station. 

Jeremiah Fritz. Died of wounds received at Antietam. 

Thomas M, Fisher. To first lieutenant 191st regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Veteran Volunteers. 

Franklin E. Jones. 

Musicians. 
Marshall Green. 
WilHam J. Kendig. 

Privates. 

Allgier, Samuel. Honorably discharged, September 22, 1862. 

Allbright, John. Honorably discharged, May 21, 1862, 

^Bauer, Jacob. 

Bitterman, Francis. Wounded at Fredericksburg. 

Blaukhorn, Andrew. Wounded at Fredericksburg. 

Block, Hugo. Transferred to battery C, 5th United States artillery. 

Carter, Jacob. W ^ > - 

*Cramer, Charles. 



852 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Daveler, George F. 

Davis, Amos. 

Ely, Thomas S. Died on the march. 

Erhne, Adam. Womided at Gettysburg. Killed at Spottsylvania 
Court House. 

Emswiler, Michael. Prisoner at Eeam's Statioi 

Eckhart, Charles. Prisoner at Ream's Station. 

*Green, Alexander. 

Grab, Joseph. Prisoner at Ream's Station. 

Gerkhart, John H. 

Harnish, Jacob. Prisoner at Ream's Station. 

Horst, Martm. Died October 21, 1862. 

Hartman, Benjamin. Prisoner at Ream's Station. 

Hahulan, John. 

Hart, John. Wounded at Gettysburg. 

Harter, Joseph. Killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 

Kennedy, Andrew P. Killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 

Kepler, Isaac. Honorably discharged for disability, January, 1863. 

Kais, Sebastian. Honorably discharged for disabilitj^, January 26, 
1863. 

Ludwig, George J. Honorably discharged for disability, April 20, 
1863. 

Lex, Charles. Honorably discharged for disabihty, January 28, 1863. 

*Light, Absolom. 

Leed, George W. 

Lithgow, George W. 

Lippold, Charles. To Veteran Reserve Corps, April 4, 1864. 

Myer, Christian. To battery C, Fifth United States artillery, Octo- 
ber 20, 1862. 

Mull, Franklin. To Veteran Reserve Corps, February 13, 1864. 

Means, Henry W. Died, November 28, 1862. 

Neild, Thomas H. To United States Navy, May 1, 1864. 

■^Nichols, Samuel. 

Pame, Samuel J. Honorably discharged for disability, May 8, 1863. 

Price, Lyman S. Wounded at Antietam. 

Pierce, Davis O. ) 

Reagan, Charles. Wounded at Antietam. Honorably discharged, 
February.17, 1863. 

*Rick, Charles. 

Stackhouse, Park J. Wounded at Gettysburg. Honorably dis- 
charged. 

Schmeidel, Augustus. 

Sohm, John. Honorably discharged for disability, July, 1862. 

Svhoen, John. 

Ste;nm' k, John. 

Shivers, James. To Veteran Reserve Corps. 

Sucker, Augustus. Killed at South Mountain. 

Schalck, John P. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Prisoner, May 5, 
1864. 

Shilling, Henry. 



APPENDIX B. 353 

Stevenson, William. Honorably discharged for disability. 
Schlotte, Wm. G. Honorably discharged for disability, January 13, 

1863. 
Schnaeder, Michael. 

Shoemaker, John. Wounded at Fredericksburg. 
Young, George W. Died, August 27, 1862. 
White, John. To Veteran Reserve Corps. 
*Weldon, James. 
*Waltze, George. 

Company H. 

Captain. 

Timothy Mealey, April 17, 1861. Wounded at Antietam and Fred- 
ericksburg. 

First Lieutenants. 

Peter Somers, April 17, 1861. Resigned February 12, 1862. 

Hugh P. Kennedy, February 19, 1862. Wounded at Games' Mills. 
Resigned, December 25, 1862. 

Richard Clendining, December 25, 1862. Wounded at South Moun- 
tain. 

Joseph Benison, September 11, 1863 

Second Lieutenants. 

Richard Clendining, October 17, 1861. To first lieutenant. 
William McGlenn, December 25, 1862. To first lieutenant. 
Joseph Benison, March 17, 1863. To first lieutenant. 
Samuel W. Wallace, September 11, 1863. 

First Sergeants. 

Samuel Wallace. Made first sergeant. May 9, 1863. 
James Cook. Made first sergeant, May 1, 1864. Reenlisted. To 
lieutenant 191st regiment P. V. 

Sergeants. 

Francis Kane. Discharged for disability, February 3, 1862. 

William J. Fulton. Wounded at Antietam. To lieutenant Invalid 
Corps. 

John Donnelly. Reenlisted. Wounded at Ream's Station. 

John Barnes. Made sergeant from private, May, 1864. 

Robert Cunningham. Made sergeant from private. May, 1864. 

Thomas M. Savage. Made sergeant, June 1, 1863. Killed at Gettys- 
burg, July 2, 1863. 

Corporals. 

Thomas H. Gouldey. Appointed corporal, February, 1863. 
Hugh J. Strain. Appointed corporal, February, 1863. 

23 



354 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Elwood Haas. Appointed corporal February, 1863. 
John Collins. "Wounded at Charles City Cross-roads. Discharged, 
January 10, 1863. 

Musician. 
George W. Leeti. Reenlisted. Wounded at Ream's Station. 

Privates. 

Azpell, Clinton. 

Allen, James. Discharged for disability, April, 1863. 

Blackwell, George. Discharged December 24, 1863. 

Baskerville, James. 

Bums, Thomas G. Killed at New Hope Church, Va., November 
28, 1863. 

Burns, Peter. 

Coligan, Francis. Wounded at Bull Run. Discharged, November 
1, 1862. 

Connor, John. Transferred to serve out unexpired time. 

Clendining, Samuel. Reenlisted. 

Crilly, Thomas. Wounded at Charles City Cross-roads. To ser- 
geant. 

Dempsey, John. Discharged for disability, March 3, 1864. 

Dempsey, Patrick. 

Dempsey, Charles. 

Dickinson, Benjamin. Transferred to Invalid Corps. . 

Dubois, Edward. To sergeant. 

Dunn, Patrick. Killed at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. 

Farren, James J. Died, November 10, 1862. 

Flaherty, William. 

Frazier, John. 

Finegan, Bernard. Wounded at Gaines' Mills. Discharged, Decem- 
ber 23, 1862. 

Fulton, Abraham. Wounded at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. 

Germain, Edward. Discharged for disability, July, 1861. 

Gillespie, James. L. Discharged, July, 1862, to accept a commis- 
sion. 

Hackney, Ezekiel. 

Ilarsliaw, Samuel. 

riaffey, Charles. Reenlisted. 

Kincacle, James. Wounded at Gaines' Mills. Discharged, April, 
1863. 

*Kuttler, Charles. 

Loane, Al^raham. Transferred to serve out time. 

Long, John. 

McGarvey, Henry. 

Moody, Jonathan. 

Myers, George L. 

Myers, Isaac. Wounded at Antietam. Discharged, November, 1863. 



APPENDIX B. 355 

McCann, John. Discharged for disability, April 21, 1864 

Murphy, Charles Transferred to serve out unexpired term 

Montage, John. Transferred to serve out unexpiJ-ed term 

Messmore George. Transferred to serve out unexpired term 

McCormick, Edward. Discharged for disability, Jun., 1863 ' 

MSunt'litchar '"'• ^^^^^^^'^^^^ ''' ^^^^^^li 'y', February 3, 1862. 

Mackin, Henry L. Died, August 20, 1863. 

Tatton, Dennis. 

Phillips, John. To corporal. 

Porter, Thomas. Killed at Fairfax Station, Va:, June 19 1863 

^ 5^.^?'- ^2.^^^'ew- Killed at Gettysburg, Pa. July 3 1863 
Ritchie, Thomas. Died, March 6, 1863. ^ ' 

Kitchie, Jonathan. 
Roe, James P. 

, Robb, William. 

"'toS.- ^''""'^'''''^ '^ '''^' «"t unexpired time. 

Smith, William". 

Seddinger, John. 

Thompson, Robert. # 

Waibel, Georse. 

wSS^' ^n^^^ Transferred to serve out unexpired time. 

Weaver; g^.^^^f-j^/^^^^^^^S^^ for disability, January 23, 1863. 

Walker, William. 

Wilkins, William P. 

Woodward, E. M. Promoted to sergeant-major. May 1, 1862. 

Company I. 

Captain. 

William Knox, April J7, 186t ^H—Iy dischargea, August 27. 

First Lieutenant. 
Thomas Weir, April 17, 1861. Honorably discharged, August 27, 

Second Lieutenant. 

John H. Jack, April 17 1861. Honorably discharged, August 27, 
1861. To first lieutenant company B. ' 



856 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

Company K. 

Captain. 

P. I. Smith, April 15, 1861. Wounded and prisoner at Glendale. 
Wounded at Fredericksburg. 

First Lieutenant. 

Isaac J. Harvey, April 15, 1861. To captain Signal Corps. 

Second Lieutenant. 

James C. Justus, April 15, 1861. Acting quartermaster. Taken 
prisoner at Jericho Ford, May 24, 1864. 

Orderly Sergeants. 

David H. Pidgeon. To sergeant-major. Wounded at Glendale and 
Gettysburg. 

Staughton George. Wounded at South Mountain. Honorably dis- 
charged. To second lieutenant Veteran Reserves. 

Peter Gillis, Jr. 

Sergeants, 

Charles Macneil. Honorably discharged for disabihty. 

George W. Nutz. 

Thomas May. Reenlisted. 

Joseph F. Sweeton. Color sergeant. 

Charles C. Upjohn. Wounded at Spottsylvania Court House, May 

12, 1864. Reenlisted. 
Joshua T. Loyd. 

Corporals. 

Thomas Dugan. 

Washington George. 

James F. Morrison. Wounded and prisoner at Fredericksburg, 

December 13, 1862. Color corporal. 
Henry J. Dewees. Honorably discharged for disability, 
Richard C. Schriner. Honorably discharged for disability, 
Henry C. Libe. Appointed May 1, 1864. 
Jeremiah Barr. 
Samuel G. Eglington. Appointed May 1, 1864. 

Musicians. 

George D. Massey, Drummer. 

Rufus S. Read. Fifer. Reenlisted in battery M, Second United 
States Artillery. 

Pinvates. 

Andrews, John T. 

Asch, Charles. Discharged for minority, June 27, 1861. 



APPENDIX B. 857 

Barnes, Edward. Wounded at Meclianicsville, June 26, 1862. 

Bartram, Joseph J. 

Benzon, John L. To quartermaster-sergeant. To second heutenant 
191st regiment P. V. 

Buck, John S. Discharged to enter battery M, United States Artil- 
lery. 

Campbell, James. Teamster. 

■^Chamberlain, William. 

Chew, Hiram F. Wounded at Antietam. Honorably discharged. 

Coster, WiUiam H. Discharged to enter battery M, Second United 
States Artillery. 

Cox, Joshua R. Wounded at Bull Run. Honorably discharged for 
disability. 

Craft, Edward L. 

Cross, Augustus T. Appointed sergeant-major, June 21, 1861. 

Deitz, William K. 

Donnelly, John. Reenlisted. 

Edmonson, Thomas. Killed at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. 

Elliott, Frank M. Honorably discharged for disability. To first 
lieutenant 183d regiment P. V. 

Errickson, Daniel. Reenlisted. 

Everett, John. Reenlisted. 

*Fell, Morion S. 

Garrison, William B. Honorably discharged for disability. 

Gibson, Robert S. Honorably discharged for disability, 1862. 

Gougler, George. Wounded at Antietam. Honorably discharged. 

Hanf, Charles. Wounded at Fredericksburg. Honorably discharged. 

Hart, John H. 

Hartman, Thomas. Taken prisoner at Glendale. Discharged to 
enter battery C, Fifth United States Artillery. 

Hays, Michael. Discharged to enter battery C, Fifth United States 
Artillery. 

McCollow, Joseph. 

McNeill, Frank P. Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

Manning, William J. Wounded at Antietam. Honorably dis- 
charged for disability. To captain 192d regiment P. V. 

Mendenhall, Edward H. Discharged to enter battery M, Second 
United States Artillery. 

Mingus, George W. 

Morslander, Robert. Detailed to Signal Corps, August 29, 1861. 

Murch, George B. Died, August — , 1862. 

Newberry, John S. 

Nolen, Daniel H. Honorably discharged for disability, September 
80, 1861. 

Poulson, Wilberforce. Killed at Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

*Powell, Robert T. 

Quinn, James. Died at Smoketown Hospital, Md., October—, 1862. 

Reel, Albert R. Wounded at South Mountain. Honorably dis- 
charged. 

Rowe, George W. Honorably discharged. 

Shaw, Thomas. Wounded and prisoner at Glendale. Honorably 
discharged. 



358 



OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



Shaw, William. Died of wounds received at Gaines' Mills. 
Simpson, William H. Killed at South Mountain. September 14, 

1863. 
Smile, John A. J. Honorably discharged for disability. 
Snider, William. Reenlisted. 
Snyder, Henry. 
Stanley, Charles. 
Supplee, John. 

Swancott, George W. To Invalid Corps. 
Thompson, Henry C. Honorably discharged for disability. 
Towell, James. 

Toy, Andrew J. Killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862. 
Treadway, Harvey B. 
Upjohn, Henry. 
Vickers, George M. Honorably discharged for disability. 



APPENDIX C. 

MARCHES AND BIVOUACS. 



1861. 



May 


28-9 


July 


24. 


ti 


25. 


u 


28. 


Aug. 


14. 


(( 


17. 


t( 


18. 


(( 


19. 


(( 


21. 


u 


22. 


ii 


29. 


Sept. 


19. 


u 


25. 


Oct. 


9. 


4* 


19. 


(( 


21. 


Nov. 


20. 


Dec. 


3. 


u 


20. 


186 


2. 


March 3. 


a 


5. 


n 


10. 


^^ 


11. 



MII.E3. 

From Philadelphia to Camp Washington 66 

Camp Washington to Camp Curtin 107 

Camp Curtin to Baltimore 85 

Baltimore to Sandy Hook, Md 80 

Sandy Hook to Berlin, and back 10 

Sandy Hook to first bivouac 15 

First bivouac to Cotoctin creek 6 

Cotoctin creek to the Monocacy 8 

the Monocacy to Hyattstown 6 

Hyattstown to new camp 1 

camp to near Darnestown 8 

Damestown to Muddy Branch 8 

Muddy Branch to Tenallytown, D. C 15 

Tenallytown to Camp Pierpont, Va 8 

Camp Pierpont to Drainesville -, 15 

Drainesville to Camp Pierpont 15 

Camp Pierpont to Munson's Hill, and back. 10 

Foraging expedition to Thomas', and back... 16 

The battle of Drainesville march 14 

Camp Pierpont to Chain Bridge, and back... 8 

(( (( U (( Q 

Camp Pierpont to first bivouac 15 

first bivouac to Camp Hawkhurst 3 



Carried forward 532 



APPENDIX C. 359 

MILES. 

Brought forward 532 

From Camp Hawkhurst to near Difficult creek 6 

" Difficult creek to three miles east of it 15 

" bivouac to near Alexandria 13 

*' Alexandria to Rebel cabins near Bull Run... 24 

" the cabins to Manassas Junction. 4 

*' Manassas Junction to near Brentsville 7 

" Brentsville to Catlett's Station'. 6 

*' Catlett's Station to Elk Run 6 

** Elk Run to White Ridge 8 

*' White Ridge to near Falmouth 17 

" near Falmouth to camp below it 3 

" camp to back of Fredericksburg 3 

'' Fredericksburg to ne^r Falmouth 3 

*' Falmouth to Cedar Lane 7 

*' Cedar Lane to Gray's Landing 1 

" Gray's Landing to mouth of Rappahannock 

River 150 

" Rappahaimock river to Yorktown 35 

"■ Yorktown to White House 60 

*' White House to first bivouac 2 

" bivouac to Dispatch Station , 10 

" Dispatch Station to Tunstall Station 8 

" Tunstall Station to Dispatch Station 8 

" Dispatch Station to Dr. Gaines' house 8 

" Gaines' house to Ellison's Mills 3 

" Ellison's Mills to Nanaley's Mills 1 

" Nanaley's to Mechanicsville, on picket 1 

" picket to Nanaley's 1 

" Nanaley's Mills to Mechanicsville battle- 
field 4 

" 27. " Mechanicsville field to Gaines' Mills 6 

" 28. " Gaines' Mills to Trent's Hill 3 

" 28-9. " Trent's Hill to White Oak Bridge 8 

" 29. *' White Oak Bridge to Glendale 3 

*' 29. ** Glendale to picket 1 

" 30. " picket to Glendale battle-field 1 

July 1. " Glendale field to Malvern Hill 6 

" 1-2. " Malvern Hill to Harrison's Landing 10 

Aug. 15. " Harrison's Landing to Fortress Monroe 70 

" 20. " Fortress Monroe to Aquia creek 145 

" 21. " Aquia creek to Falmouth 12 

" 22. " Falmouth to first bivouac 7 

Aug. 23. " bivouac to Crittenden's Mills 17 

*' 24. *' Crittenden's Mills to the Gold Mines 8 

" 25. " Gold mines to near Bealton Station 10 

*' 26. " Bealton Station to near Warrenton 20 

" 27. " Warrenton to Broad Run 13 

" 28. " Broad Run to Bull Run battle-field 28 

Carried forward lEll 



1862. 


Mar. 


14. 




15. 




16. 


April 


9. 




10. 




17. 




18. 




26. 




27. 




28. 




29. 


May 


26. 




31. 


June 


8. 




9. 


"9 


-10. 




10. 


" 10-11. 




11. 




12. 




18. 




15. 




18. 




19. 




20. 




24. 




26. 




26. 



360 



OUR CAMPAIGNS. 



Aus:. 


30-1 




31. 


Sept. 


1. 


i( 


2. 


u 


3. 


t( 


4. 


(( 


6. 


(( 


7. 


u 


9. 


t( 


10. 


(( 


11. 


(i 


13. 


(4 


13. 


U 


14. 


(( 


15. 


C4 


16. 


i( 


18. 


Oct. 


26. 


u 


29. 


Nov. 


1. 


" 


3. 


u 


4. 


♦' 


5. 


u 


5. 


n 


6. 


(( 


11. 


u 


17. 


l( 


18. 


(I 


22. 


Dec. 


8. 


u 


11. 


u 


12. 


u 


15. 


t( 


16. 


" 


18. 


i( 


19. 


18G3. 




Jan. 


20. 


a 


23. 


Feb. 


6. 


u 


7. 


(( 


12. 


(( 


21. 


Mar. 


9. 


u 


28. 


June 


25. 



Brought forward 

From Bull Run field to Centreville 

" countermarchmg around Centreville, picket 

and back 

Centreville to near Fairfax Court-house 

Fairfax Court-house to Arlington Heights- 
Arlington Heights to Arlington House 

Arlington House to Upton's Hill 

Upton's Hill to near Washington 

near Washington to Leesborough 

Leesborough to near Brookville 

near Brookville to Patuxent river 

Patuxtnt river to Poplar Springs 

Poplar Springs to near New Market 

near New'Market to the Monocacy 

Monocacy to South Mountain battle-field. ... 

South Mountain to Keedysville 

Keedysville to Antietam 

Antietam to near Sharpsburg 

Sharpsburg to Berlin 

Berlin to Lovettsville 

Lovettsville to Hamilton \, 

Hamilton to near Philomont 

near Philomont to bivouac 

bivouac to near White Plains 

White Plains to picket line 

picket line to beyond Warrenton 

Warrenton to Fayettsville 

Fayettsville to beyond Grove Churches 

Grove Churches to near Staflbrd Court-house. 

Stafford Court-house to Brooks' Station 

Brooks' Station to near White Oak Church. 
White Oak Church to near the Rappahan- 
nock 

bivouac to Fredericksburg battle-field 

battle-field to picket on the north bank 

picket to camp 

camp to bivouac 

bivouac to camp near White Oak Church. ... 



White Oak Church to Banks' ford 

Banks' ford to White Oak Church 

White Oak Church to Belle Plains 

Belle Plains to Alexandria 

Alexandria to Fairfax Court-house. , 

Fairfax Court-house to Bull Run picket.... 
Bull Run picket to Fairfax Court-house... . 
Fairfax Court-house to Fairfax Station.. .. 
Fairfax Station to bivouac beyond Vienna. 



MILES. 

1311 

7 

8 
8 
14 
3 
4 
9 

10 

10 

5 

10 

14 

. 4 

14 

7* 

2 

14 

8 

12 

9 

4 

16 

1 

13 

10 

16 

14 

6 

8 

3 
3 
3 
3 
5 
1 

14 

14 

4 

59 

20 

9 

9 

4 

10 



Carried forward 1727 



APPENDIX C. 



361 



June 


26. 


u 


27. 


(( 


28. 


(( 


29. 


u 


30. 


July 


1. 


a 


1. 


(( 


2. 


(( 


5. 


It 


6. 


(( 


7. 


(( 


8. 


(I 


9. 


(( 


10. 


(( 


11. 


(( 


12. 


l( 


14. 


i( 


15. 


' (( 


16. 


l( 


17. 


(( 


18. 


li 


19. 


n. 


20. 


il 


22. 


i( 


23. 


(( 


24. 


u 


25. 


(( 


26. 


u 


27. 


t( 


28. 


Au^. 


1. 




3. 


i( 


4. 


(( 


8. 


Sept. 


16. 


(( 


17. 


Oct. 


10. 


(( 


11. 


t( 


11. 


a 


12. 


" 13-13 


u 


13. 


" 14-15 


(( 


15. 


(( 


17. 


i( 


18. 


i( 


19. 



Brought forward 

From bivouac to Goose creek 

Goose creek to mouth of Monocacy, Md 

Monocacy to near Frederick City 

Frederick City to bivouac in woods 

the woods to beyond Uniontown 

beyond Uniontown to Pennsylvania line 

State line to bivouac 

bivouac to Gettysburg battle-field 

battle-field to first bivouac 

bivouac to near Emmittsburg 

Emmittsburg to near Frederick City 

near Frederick City to near Middletown 

near Middletown to near Keedysville 

near Keedysville to Delamont Mills 

Delamont Mills to Hagerstownpike on picket. 

picket to bivouac 

bivouac to Falling Waters 

Falling Waters across South Mountain 

eastern base of South Mountain to near Berlin. 

near Berlin to Lovettsville, Va 

Lovettsville to Wheatland 

Wheatland to Purcellville 

PurcellvUle to near Upperville 

Upperville to Rectortown 

Rectortown to Manassas Gap 

Manassas Gap to bivouac on the mountains. 

Mountain bivouac to first bivouac 

bivouac to near Warrenton 

near Warrenton to near Fayetteville 

Fayetteville to new camp, for water 

camp towards Warrenton.. 

Warrenton towards Fayetteville 

Fayetteville to bivouac 

camp to Rappahannock Station 

Rappahannock Station to near Culpepper 

Court-house 

Near Cutpepper Court-house to camp 

camp to Raccoon Ford 

Raccoon Ford to old camp 

camp to Rappahannock Station 

Rappahannock Station to Brandy Station.... 

Brandy Station to Rappahannock Station 

Rappahannock Station to Catlett's Station... 

Catlett's Station to near Bull Run 

Bull Run to near Fairfax Court-House 

Fairfax Court-House to Centreville 

Centreville to Fairfax Court-House 

Fairfax Court-House to Bull Run battle-field. 



727 

18 

15 

15 

10 

20 

10 

10 

10 

6 

3 

21 

14 

10 

10 

4 

1 

K 
o 

10 

23 
8 
7 
7 

14 
7 

25 
5 

15 

19 
4 
1 
2 

13 
1 



13 
6 

7 

7 

19 

8 

8 

10 

15 

11 

6 

6 

13 



Carried forward. 



OOl^C^ 



362 OUR CAMPAIGNS. 

MILES. 

Brought forward 2208 

Oct. 20. From Bull Run to uear New Baltimore 10 

'' 26. " New Baltimore to New Auburn 7 

" 30. " New Auburn to near Warrenton 5 

Nov. 7. *' Warrenton to Rappahannock Station 8 

" 7. " Rappahannock. Station to Forclman's Ford.. 6 

" 8. " Fordman's Ford to Rebel cabins 2 

'* 10. " the cabins to Mountain Run 4 

" 24. " Mountain Run towards the Rapidan, and 

back 5 

*' 26. " Mountain run to near Chancellorsville 15 

*' 27. " near Chancellorsville to New Hope Church. 6 

" 28. " New Hope Church to Robinson's Tavern.... 8 

" 29. " Robinson's Tavern to Mine Run 3 

Dec. 2, 3. " Mine Run to Brandy Station 14 

" 4,5. " Brandy Station to Bristoe Station 20 

1864. 

April 29. " Bristoe Station to near Warrenton Junction. 11 
" 30. *' Warrenton Junction to Culpepper Court- 
House 19 

May 4. " near Culpepper Court-House to Lacy' s farm. 22 



1:1 



Through the Wilderness 30 

7.) 

" 8. From Wilderness to Spottsylvania Court-Hdhse.... 15 
" 9. 
" 10. 

" 11. I Around Spottsylvania Court-House 10 

" 12. 
♦' 13. 

" 14. TotheRiverPo 15 

" 15. 
" 16. 

i( -iiy 

*' ^Q* ) Countermarching and taking up positions 20 

" 19. 

" 20. 

*' 21. To Guinney's Station l8 

"• 22.) 

" 23, V Marching on Telegraph road 35 

'' 24. ) 

"25-28. Crossing the Paraunkey 30 

" 29. Around Bethesda Church 8 

June 1. Bethesda Church to White House 28 

" 3. White House to Washington 252 

" 5. Washington to Baltimore 45 

*' 5-6. Baltimore to Harrisburg 85 

*' 7. Harrisburg to Philadelphia 107 

Total distance marched by the Regiment 3071 

•r'J ' 



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